Pink Frosting

Open Giveaway: Mac, Essie!

2012-02-24T17:29:00.002-07:00

ENTER HERE FOR FREE PRODUCTS!!

My January Favorites!!! :D

2012-01-31T23:29:00.001-07:00

XOXO

EASY Bun

2012-01-29T13:59:00.001-07:00

All you need:
Sock
Hair tie
Maybe bobby pins

Here it is!

What easy hair styles do you love to rock?

XOXO

Top Nail Polish Pick for Winter

2012-01-23T17:33:00.003-07:00

What are your favorite nail polishes for winter?

XOXO

Review: Maybelline 24 Hour Color Tattoo

2012-01-15T20:17:00.001-07:00

Retail $5.99 2 Target (.14 oz/ 4g)

Audacious Asphalt

Tough as Taupe

Too Cool

I Absolutely love these! They have a great consistency, and staying power. They last longer on me than Mac's Paint Pots do (with primer of course). They are so pigmented and blend like a dream and are really inexpensive drugstore products. For 5g of products Mac's Paint pots are $17.50, while these which are 4g are only $5.99 and to me, work better! They don't have a huge array of colors yet... Five more neutral colors and five more loud and fun colors. Maybe they will release more but for now I'm really loving these products!
They are very long wearing as I said longer than paint pots not 24 hours for me, but still really good (and really who needs their eye shadow to last 24 hours?)

What's your favorite cream eyeshadow?

XOXO

NOTD/ Favorite Nail Combo

2012-01-10T23:47:00.000-07:00

This has hands down been my absolute FAVORITE combination recently!!! I absolutely love it! It's Essie's "Shine of the Times" over a black polish, the one I'm wearing happens to be "Licorice." The sparkly "Shine of the Times" really looks like nothing special but layered over black it's just way cool looking! It reflects green, orange, red, and a little pink. I just love all the different colors it reflects it's simply beautiful! I can't tell you how many people have stopped me and asked me about my nails when I wear it! It's definitely been my favorite nail combo this month and last!

Essie's Shine of the Times

Essie's Licorice

Pressing Mac Pigments

2012-01-08T20:16:00.000-07:00

Dazzlesphere Berry Ornament Pigments

All you need is the pans which you can get at Coastal Scents, rubbing alcohol, something to mix it with, paper towels, a quarter, and the pigment (all easy to get or things you have around the house).

Add the alcohol to the pigments in the pan
Mix
Let stand for two hours
Cover the pan and mixed pigment with a paper towel and place the quarter on top
Push the quarter down to compact the pigment even more
Let the rest of the alcohol evaporate and then you have your pressed pigment!

Next to Mac's Cranberry

I love these colors they are soooo pretty and for $32.50 a great deal!

Do you like using your pigments loose or pressed?

XOXO

Shoe Haul!

2012-01-07T01:16:00.001-07:00

Okay so I went a little crazy buying shoes recently! :P I really wanted to get rid of some of my shoes and get some new ones!

I needed some black flats and I really love the patent leather on these and they are CRAZY comfortable! The brand is Me too bought at Nordstrom.

I love these I was kinda iffy about them at first they are by the brand Borne and they are EXTREMELY comfortable as well. The berry color is a great pop of color with neutral outfits that need a little more to them! Bought at Nordstrom.

I LOVE these they look great with skinny jeans for an edgy look but look really classic under jeans. Bought at Famous Footwear

I love these flat boots too! They don't look like much on but wow when you put them on these are so cute! You can fold the top down or leave it straight and again ultra comfy! Bought at Famous Footwear

Okay.... I'm in love... these shoes were made for me!! They are so cute! They are by Steve Madden and they are a great alternative to gold or platinum flats! However, I do have to return them and get a whole size bigger because they run so small but I just LLOOVE these can can't wait to wear them! Bought at Nordstom

XOXO

BIG AFTER CHRISTMAS SALES!

2011-12-27T14:27:00.002-07:00

Here's a quick wrap-up of some of the after-Christmas sales.

These sales are online only unless otherwise specified:

Avon: enter code SPREE2011 for free shipping on order $10+. Sitewide sales up to 60% off

Bath & Body Works: Semi-Annual Sale now online and in-store. Up to 75% off select items. Select shower cream and body cream $3 each. Select Wallflower single bulbs and starters $3 each. Many additional sales online and in-store

Big Lots: 30% off cosmetic, bath and fragrance gift sets (in-store only)

CVS: enter code GET20WINTER for 20% off sitewide (expires 1/2)

Lush: BOGOFREE all holiday products and holiday and year-round gifts and soap made before November 2011.

Rite Aid: enter code 10OFFA50 for $10 off $50 purchase; 50% off Rite Aid brands; 50% off personal care items (expires 12/31)

Sally Beauty: enter code 555367 for up to 70% off red tag clearance items

Sephora: enter code EXTRA for an extra 20% off sale items (expires 1/3)

Victoria's Secret: Semi-Annual Clearance now online. VS Fantasies 7/$35. Extra 20% off swimwear clearance: enter code 20SAND

Walgreens: enter code NEW5 for $5 off $30 purchase. Enter code NEW10 for $10 off $50 purchase. Codes can be applied to sale items. Everyday free shipping on orders of $25+

Yankee Candle: Semi-Annual Sale now online and in-store. Select candles 50% off, select items 75% off

Yves Rocher: enter code BOX1060 for $10 off $50 purchase + 50% off entire site (expires 12/27). Free shipping with $25 purchase

Big thanks to Nouveau Cheap for doing this great blog post I just had to share it with you guys!!

What are you guys getting at the big sales?

XOXO

Holly Jolly Holiday Tag!

2011-12-23T12:36:00.001-07:00

Questions:
1. Favorite Christmas Movie?
2. Are you on the Naughty list or the Nice list?
3. Show us an embarrassing Christmas Card photo! (WE KNOW YOU HAVE ONE OK)
4. Have you ever had a White Christmas?
5. Where do you usually spend your holiday?
6.Play or Sing your favorite Christmas Song!
7. Do you open any presents on Christmas Eve?
8. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
9. What holiday tradition are you looking forward to most this year?
10. Is your Christmas tree real or fake?
11. Hands down, what's your all-time favorite holiday food and holiday sweet treat?
12. Be Honest: do you like giving gifts or receiving gifts better?
13. Show us your tackiest Christmas attire (ex: Ugly Sweater)
14. What would be your dream place to visit for the holiday season?
15. Does your family have a special holiday recipe you like to help make?
16. Are you a pro-present wrapper, or do you fail miserably?
17. Most memorable Holiday moment?
18. What made you realize the truth about Santa?
19. Do you make New Years Resolutions? Do you stick to them?
20. What makes the Holidays special for you?

I tag you answer the questions in the comments below!!

XOXO

All About Eye Liner

2011-12-16T23:51:00.000-07:00

My favorite liner right now is the NYX Slide on pencils! Love them!
Liners can be a little tricky. I like smooth liners that stay on all day! A lot to ask I know :P In the video I talk about pencil liners, gel liners, liquid liners, liner brushes, and tricks on how to apply!

XOXO

Haul: Cherry Culture

2011-12-12T11:16:00.002-07:00

Mentioned:
Jumbo eye pencil: Cottage Cheese
JEP: Purple
JEP: Rust

Slide on Eye liner: Purple Blaze, Tropical Green, Golden Bronze

Jumbo Lip pencils: Iced Mocca, Iced Coffee, Pink Nude

Mega Shine Lip Gloss: Golden Pink, Sweet Heart, Sunrise

Have you hauled anything lately?

XOXO

Naked Again: Naked Palette 2

2011-12-07T21:54:00.001-07:00

Guess what?!! Naked Palette 2 Released! I'm so excited The colors are great as to be expected from Urban Decay products. Overall, this palette has a lot more cooler tones in it. Foxy, Half Baked, and Chopper are the only warm colors in the palette, whereas the original was pretty much all warm tones.

Half Baked was in both palettes, but overall it's a very diverse palette. It has more matte shades than the original and none of the colors are that similar that I was disappointed in buying both. At first glance there were two or three colors that I thought were really going to be similar, but once I swatched them I realized that wasn't the case.

The Naked 2 is a hard case that snaps shut but with that comes the feeling of bulk. The mirror is larger than the first palette but I don't use the mirrors in the packaging anyway so that wasn't a huge deal for me. The reason I'm drawn to the product is the value $204 worth of eyeshadow + $24 brush + $6 lipgloss=$234 total for just $50. That's AMAZING!!! LOVE IT!
I don't think that this palette is all that necessary if you have the first one but with the coolers tones included, the matte black, and the fact that the shadows are all neutral, I will get great use out of it!!

XOXO

Drugstore Moisturizer

2011-12-07T12:08:00.001-07:00

So I just returned from the dermatologist and she recommended the CeraVe AM moisturizer. It's SPF 20 and I'm not sure how I feel about that. I was using the Cetaphil AM moisturizer before but it burned my eyes like CRAZY and I hated using it because of that. The CeraVe runs around $12.00 and I'm going to go pick it up right now. I'm going to try and find a travel size to see if I like it has anyone had any experiences with this moisturizer?

November Beauty Favorites 2011

2011-12-03T14:15:00.001-07:00

Cover girl Eyeshadow Tapestry Taupe
Mac's Eyeshadow in Cranberry
NYX Slide On Liner Pencils (Tropical Green, Golden Bronze, Purple Blaze)
Elf Professional eye liner brush
Instant Age Rewind treatment and concealer in the color Light pale
Revlon Lip Butter in Peach Parfait
Danmari-Nars Blush Palette
Tarte 12 Hour Blush in Exposed
Essie Sole Mate
Waahlaa Back Comb (http://www.ExpressSalonTools.com/Express_Salon_Tools/Welcome.html)
Scentsy Bars in Eskimo Kiss and Kahiko Hula

What were your favorites this month?

XOXO

Preppy 'n Pink

2011-11-27T15:45:00.001-07:00

Preppy 'n Pink by sparklemepink22 featuring a pearl necklace

Searching for a New Foundation!

2011-11-25T21:29:00.001-07:00

Hey guys! I'm looking for a new foundation. Any suggestions? I am looking into Makeup Forever HD and Matte Velvet, and Laura Mercier Cream Silk Foundation. All have great reviews. I need something oil free and on the high end as far as coverage. Anyone tried any of these or have a holy grail foundation they suggest? Let me know! Thank you!!

New! Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters

2011-11-09T00:12:00.000-07:00

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters

(retail: $7.49 each, 0.09 oz)

Love these drugstore beauties! :) They are sooo pigmented and moisturizing. They are pigmented like a lipsticks, conditioning like a lip balm and shiny like a lipgloss! You get all the best things of a lip product rolled into one! If you aren't wanting a lip tint that just gives a slight flush of color, this product isn't for you. These are lipstick grade products.

I got mine at Walgreens but they are official and permanent as of January 2011. The packaging is great I will link my video below if you'd like to check it out. I really want to get Sugar Plum which is a little more natural and would be great for ever day wear, but I'm definitely going to wait for a sale and a coupon before I do since I already have so many! :)

Do you have any lip products you've been loving?

XOXO

Monday Questionnaire

2011-10-31T15:39:00.000-06:00

Happy Halloween everyone!!! Today is the last day of October, and Blogtober! I have really enjoyed Blogtober a lot more than I thought and I've met a lot of sweet people along the way!!! :) I'm so excited to have made new friends and found new blogs through these friends!

Today is Monday so it's time for a questionnaire:

1.) Mood: Excited to see all the cute Halloween Costumes!
2.) When was the last time you carved a pumpkin? I wish it were this week! But I believe it was last year!
3.) What is your favorite Halloween candy? Snickers or Twixt!
4.) What is your favorite Halloween memory? When I was little I won a Gold Fish at a Church party and it live for like five years!!
5.) Do you believe in ghosts/spirits? Yep!
6.) Were you allowed to dress up at school for Halloween as a kid? Yes! But we didn't wear masks or do gross makeup like blood and such.
7.) Did you trick-or-treat as a kid? At what age did you stop? yes, Ummmm I'm not sure but I have lots of little siblings so I know I milked it longer by taking them out!
8.) What is your favorite Halloween movie? Hocus Pocus
9.) Did you dress up for Halloween this year? If so, as what? Nope :/ I'm lame I'm studying for exams while passing out candy..
10.) Weekly goals: Make it through my three exams this week, Smile more and worry less!

My little kitty in his devil costume... he looks thrilled huh?

Copy and past the list to answer in a comment below!
1.) Mood:
2.) When was the last time you carved a pumpkin?
3.) What is your favorite Halloween candy?
4.) What is your favorite Halloween memory?
5.) Do you believe in ghosts/spirits?
6.) Were you allowed to dress up at school for Halloween as a kid?
7.) Did you trick-or-treat as a kid? At what age did you stop?
8.) What is your favorite Halloween movie?
9.) Did you dress up for Halloween this year? If so, as what?
10.) Weekly goals:

XOXO

Stop the Dry Cracked Winter Hands

2011-10-29T22:24:00.001-06:00

Im currently standing outside freezing at a Halloween event and it made me think of how dry my hands get in the Fall/Winter. So I thought I'd do a post on how to keep your hands soft!

1. Before bed but a body butter, moisturizing hand cream or Vaseline on your hands. Then put socks or mittens over them to keep moisture in so it will soak into your hands.
2. Don't excessively wash! Not only does this dry out your hands washing your hands excessively also kills good germs you need to stay healthy during flu season.
3. Put cuticle oil/cream on knuckles as well as nail beds. Cuticle oil/cream tends to be more concentrated than regular lotion, do putting it on dry areas will help keep them soft.
4. Stay away from hot water! As nice as it is to put your hands under a faucet with water after a cold day; hot water pulls out the moisture and drys out the skin. Remember that when you go to take a hot shower!
What do you use to keep your hands soft?

XOXO

Mini Fall Nail Polish Haul

2011-10-28T22:03:00.001-06:00

I picked up a couple of Essie nail polishes today! The one on the left is called Sole Mate and the blue one is called Midnight Cami! So cute! I really wanted a deep wine colored polish and I kept picking up Sole Mate so I bought it. I normally HATE blue polishes but this on one was so pretty I had to have it. I'm hoping since it's such a deep color it will work for me :)

Have you hauled any polishes lately?

XOXO

Fall is in the Air!

2011-10-27T23:51:00.001-06:00

It's October Weather! by sparklemepink22 featuring linea pelle belts

$$Beauty Coupons$$

2011-10-26T22:10:00.002-06:00

We all want to save a little extra cash with makeup. Below are a few coupons that are available for a limited time! Check them out! Also, follow http://nouveaucheap.blogspot.com/ for weekly drugstore deals!

$1 off any L'Oreal eye cosmetic

$1 off any Rimmel cosmetic

$1 off Garnier Hairspray

$15 off + free shipping on Smashbox

XOXO

Brassy Blonde

2011-10-25T23:10:00.001-06:00

If you’ve ever dyed your hair blonde, you’ve probably experienced ‘brass’ on one occasion or another. Brass is the yellow, orange color hair turns, that depending on your skin tone can be VERY unflattering! Here are a few tip to protect your blonde locks from becoming brassy:

1. Protect your hair's moisture and color by only using styling products formulated for color-treated hair. Chemically lightened hair has been damaged and requires products that provide hydration and are free of alcohol. Alcohol can further dry out the hair

2. Check your Water – Find out if you live in an area where the water supply is high in iron deposits. These deposits can add a brassy tone to your hair when it is washed and rinsed. To fix this problem, add a water softener and iron filter to your shower head.

3. Purple Shampoo – The blue dyes will deposit themselves on your hair shaft, canceling out any brassiness. John Frieda has some inexpensive options, I just bought the shampoo and conditioner! :)

4. Go back to your colorist and request a toner, if you find your hair has become an undesired tint this doesn't have to be brassy necessarily, my hair turned grey and they put toner in it to correct that as well .

Here are some brassy blondes so you can see what it is! I've seen a lot of girls with over processed hair that have this problem and it looks A LOT worse than these celebs!

..... does this picture need a comment?

You can really see it in the ends of her hair.

Hope this is helpful!!

XOXO

NOTD

2011-10-24T23:58:00.001-06:00

Orly's Rage
Such a gorgeous color!

What's your favorite polish right now??
XOXO

Breast Cancer Awareness: Beauty Style

2011-10-23T17:34:00.000-06:00

I have a family friend who has struggled with breast Cancer she is such a sweet and incredibly kind person.

Here are links to check out that I found helpful or had very inspirational stories about people with cancer. Enjoy!

Donate to the National Breast Cancer Foundation

The picture of the little girl just is the cutest thing and the story is amazing!

This is a whole site of Breast Cancer Survivor stories!

XOXO

Everyday Eye Tutorial

2011-10-22T00:55:00.000-06:00

I've been practicing filming tutorials, they are lot harder than they look!

Two Faced Shadow Insurance

Sigma E70

MAC e/s Shroom

Sigma E 60

MAC e/s All That Glitters

Sigma E40

MAC e/s Sushi Flower

Sigma E70

Naked Palette- Urban Decay's Buck

Naked Palette- Urban Decay's Dark Horse

NYC waterproof Eyeliner in Dark Brown

Sigma E30

Mascara L'oreal Double extend Beauty Tubes in Blackest Black

Cheeks

Sigma F40

ELF Duo

Lips

MAC lipstick in Hug Me

Ulta lip gloss in Princess

What are your fav shadows for everyday looks?

XOXO

Sephora Friends and Family SALE!

2011-10-20T23:17:00.000-06:00

This sale is so awesome because Sephora rarely has sales, so it's nice to get big ticket items for a good deal!
Here are the conditions for the sale:

Offer valid from10/20/11 through 11/02/11 at 11:59 pm PST/PDT with any merchandise order from Sephora.com.
Each online promo code can only be used once and cannot be used in retail stores or Sephora stories inside of JC Penny.
Each promo code may only be used one time, is non-transferable, is not valid on previous purchases, on Canadian online purchases, nor with the purchase of eGift certificates or gift cards.
Only one promo code per email address, and only five email addresses per computer.
This code cannot be used in conjunction with other pronotions or offers.

To receive your very own 20% off promotional code CLICK HERE

Leave a comment below and let me know what you plan to haul from Sephora!!!

Here is one of my favorite gurus giving her tips!

XOXO

AMAZING Deal Tarte: Lipsurgence Kit

2011-10-19T19:54:00.000-06:00

I saw this deal deal and couldn't resist I knew I had to tell you about it! One of these Lipsurgence retail for $24. Right now ULTA, and I believe Sephora are carrying a kit by Tarte that is five of these colors for $30. CRAZY RIIIGHT? I jumped on this deal and I ABSOLUTELY love them! They are minty, smooth, and moisturizing. The glitter ones don't feel as smooth to me but it's not enough that I wouldn't wear the product!

Each set includes 5 limited-edition LipSurgence lip tints in the following shades:

Perky (soft carnation pink tint)

Swank (light cherry tint)

Flashy (bright iridescent fuchsia luster)

Dazzled (pearly coral pink luster)

Glitzy (antique pink luster)

It claims to "give lips a natural shimmering flush while softening and moisturizing lips. Natural peppermint adds a refreshing burst of flavor with each application. Clinically proven proprietary blend naturally increases lips moisture content by 6000% on a cellular level after 28 days."

Contains:

Vitamin C: antioxidant free radical fighter that prevents premature signs of aging, while brightening skin.

Vitamin E: anti-inflammatory emollient and protects against free radical damage.

peppermint oil: natural fragrance cools and soothes inflamed or irritated skin.

Jojoba seed oil: natural soothing extract that leaves skin soft and supple.

Top to bottom: Dazzled, Swank, Glitzy, Flashy, Perky

Top to bottom: Dazzled, Swank

Top to bottom: Glitzy, Flashy, Perky

What are you waiting for? Go check it out and let me know what you think!

XOXO

Monday Questionnaire

2011-10-17T22:23:00.001-06:00

I saw this Monday Questionnaire and thought it would be really cool to do these on Monday for Blogtober, and to see all of your answers too! Below are all the questions! What are you waiting for?! :)

1.) Mood: Tired, discouraged. That's okay tomorrow will be better! :D

2.) What do you hear right now? Silence is GOLDEN! After a crazy weekend of traveling, it's nice to hear nothing but typing on my keyboard!

3.) Do you have any tattoos? No. Not really my thing

4.) Current nail polish: None... But I think I'm going to paint the Orly's Rage later. BEAUTIFUL rose gold color that I LOOOVE!

5.) What is your favorite pair of shoes? Either my black heeled boots with studs or my coral Cole Haan shoes I got this summer!

6.) Current outfit: A long sleeve shirt from Buckle that's black, rust and brown (very fall), which my capri sweats. (I was traveling today and am relaxing on my bed in comfy clothes)

7.) Do you collect anything?... What don't I collect?! :P Other than makeup, I used to collect antique perfume bottles which I still love but have stopped collecting for some strange reason. I also collect just pretty girly things, I collect china dolls, tea sets, and shoe and purse mini's that are really gorgeous.

8.) What is your favorite perfume (or body/soap scent if you don't wear perfume)? Lucky perfume! I've wore it since I was in high school and love it for fall. Though for Spring I like Burberry's Brit sheer.

9.) Do you feel younger or older than your current age? ummmm I guess I feel older, with my health and such I always feel like a little old granny! : p Thats okay though cookies for everyone!!! :D

10.) Weekly goals: Film a tutorial for youtube (with my new camera yay!!!), stretch everyday, find something to be thankful for everyday.

Copy and paste the list to answer in a comment below!
1.) Mood:
2.) What do you hear right now?
3.) Do you have any tattoos?
4.) Current nail polish:
5.) What is your favorite pair of shoes?
6.) Current outfit:
7.) Do you collect anything?
8.) What is your favorite perfume (or body/soap scent if you don't wear perfume)?
9.) Do you feel younger or older than your current age?10.) Weekly goals:

Top Three Mac Eyeshadows

2011-10-16T11:09:00.000-06:00

All That Glitters- This was one of my first shades and I LOVE it! It's a gold, peachy, pink color. It would look good on all skin types and just has a gorgeous finish. When I first put it on I was a little... Meh. But then its sets to this gorgeous color that works great as an all over the lid color! So beautiful! It's a veluxe pearl and super beautiful! I love this color because you can sweep it over the lid and it gives your eyes dimension, in other words it looks like you are wearing more than one color.

Woodwinked- This is a beautiful brown color with a bright gold finish. So gorgeous! I also love this because of the dimension if gives your eyes. This is also a veluxe pearl shadow and has a super soft consistency. This looks great as a lid color, crease color, or both in one sweep!

Shroom- This is a Soft beige that's pearlescent, a little lighter than the picture below. It's a very subtle color that is great for highlighting under brow bone, inner corner of the eyes and even the lid for just a nice sheen. This a satin finish so it's a little different than the other two but great for everyday neutral eye use!

Hangin' Around

2011-10-15T21:58:00.001-06:00

Hangin' Around by sparklemepink22 featuring 14k jewelry

Lilly Pulitzer: Stuck on you

2011-10-14T18:37:00.003-06:00

I LOOVE this I saw it on the Glizy-Glam site and I love it but they only have the blue one! So today I went out and bought the Stuck on You set in Bloomers! It's pink gotta love it!!

Tis is the one I bought it's sooo cute and pink! I think it's called Bloomers!

This is the "Do the Wave" set

It comes with four different types of stickies. One thats a normal sticky size, four different flag size, a narrow size for reminders and an even more narrow size for little lists and they all come in a cute little book that keeps them all organized! I just had to have it for school and for $4.95 you can't go wrong!

XOXO

Happy Birthday

2011-10-11T11:30:00.000-06:00

This is a non-beauty related post but a very special post all the same. Today is a very important day. Today is the birthday of the strongest person I know. A person who has faced tremendous adversity with grace and patience. Someone who has sacrificed so much for others and gets so little in return. Someone who has held me in her warm embrace through the struggles of life, and celebrated with me through many triumphs. She is super woman in EVERY sense! Sometimes I just don't know how she does it and still manages to stay sane... Although lets face it she is a little crazy. :P She has taught me so much in life and has helped shape who I am, and through her example shows me who I want to be. Happy Birthday to the most wonderful, spectacular, amazing person I know... I love you Mom.

XOXO

Review: Moisture+ Tinted Carmax

2011-10-10T21:27:00.000-06:00

Also, check out their website, they have a TON of stuff I didn't even know about!!!:D

Active Ingredients
Octinoxate - 6 %Sunscreen , Oxybenzone - 5 %Sunscreen

Inactive Ingredients
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (Aloe Butter) , Beeswax , Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit (Shea Butter) , C10-30 Cholesterol , Lanosterol Esters , Camphor , Caprylic , Capric Triglyceride , Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil (Safflower) , Cocos Nucifera Oil , Ethylhexyl Palmitate , Euphorbia Cerifera Wax (Candelilla) , Flavor , Isopropyl Palmitate , Lecithin , Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil (Meadowfoam) , Meadowfoam Delta-Lactone , Menthol , Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables (Olive) , Ozokerite , Palmitoyl Oligopeptide , Paraffin , Persea Gratissima (Avocado Butter) , Phenol , PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate , Ricinus Communis Seed Oil (Castor) , Saccharin , Sorbitan Isostearate , Tocopherol Linoleate (Vitamin E) , Tribehenin

Fall Beauty Wish list

2011-10-09T23:30:00.000-06:00

I thought I'd do a fall wish list of things I've been interested on that have come out or are great for the fall season.

Chanel Peridot Le Vernis- I've heard so much about this color and at first I was like..... meh. But then the more I looked at it and saw swatches the more I REALLY like this color and think it's a gorgeous color for the fall. The green and gold duochrome just makes it unlike other colors and soooo different. It is a limited addition color and it's crazy hard to find.

MAC Blush in Gingerly- This is just such a gorgeous peach for fall. It's so versatile and I would love it in my collection.

MAC eyeshadow in Cranberry- I've gone back and forth about this color it's a purple/red toned color that's gorgeous for fall and just a really beautiful color in general.

MAC MSF in Lightscapade- This came out in their Fall Color collection. It's a limited addition color and many people have said it's their holy grail highlighter.

Duo Body Butter from the Body shop- I have never tried body butters from the body shop but have hear amazing things. This particular one is really cool because it comes with a light moisturizer and a more thick, rich moisturizer so this would be a great product to use all year round.

Essie Nail polish in Angora Cardi- I saw this color on someone and said " I have to have it" It's a gorgeous might mauve color. It gets darker with more coats and I just think it's stunning for fall.

What's on your fall wish list??

XOXO

Cuticle Eater!

2011-10-08T23:08:00.001-06:00

I LOOOVE this product! I tend to get really dry cuticles that crack and snag easily. It can be really painful and unpleasant. I started using this product and my cuticles look and feel soooo much better, I absolutely love it!

Gel Cuticle Remover
Quickly Removes Excess Cuticles

* Moisturizes as it Smoothes Cuticles.
* Fast-acting, lightly fragranced gel gently softens and loosens excess cuticles.
* Formula with moisturizing Jojoba extra, antioxidant Kiwi Extract and nourishing Wheat Protein deeply condition delicate cuticle skin.
* Built-in pusher tip is perfect for easing back softened cuticles.

Special Ingredients:
Enriched with Jojoba & Kiwi Extract.

Have you guys tried this or similar products that you like?? Let me know!!

XOXO

My Favorite Female Celebrities

2011-10-07T23:41:00.002-06:00

Taylor Swift

Love her! She is just gorgeous, I love her gorgeous curls.

Sofia Vergara

I LOOOVE the show Modern Family, and I just think Sofia is a classic beauty.

Blake Lively

Love her makeup here.

Catherine Zeta Jones

Rachel Mcadams

Reshma Shetty

I don't think that she's crazy photogenic, but she is soooo gorgeous on Royal Pains. She always has the best makeup looks on that show!

Jennifer Aniston

Who are your favorite celebrities?

XOXO

Pump it up: Add Volume to Your Hair

2011-10-06T23:23:00.002-06:00

I used to blow dry my hair upside down to get more volume. Little did I know completely blow drying your hair upside down isn't good for the shafts of your hair! So I decided to do a post on how to add volume to your hair.

1. Use products that volumize- Shampoo, condition, hair spray, gels, leave in conditioner ect. All of these are great to help you get a bit more lift. I suggest a volumizing shampoo and a really deep conditioner as it can dry your hair out. Also, lots of brands care volumizing sprays/mousses that you can leave in to add volume

2. How to dry- blow dry away from the scalp but not against the way your hair grows. Blow drying your hair upside down for a little while can help boost volume but doing it too long can damage your hair. Instead, tilt your head to either side and blow dry from the underneath. This helps the hair dry away from the scalp while not damaging your hair as much.

3. Curls or waves- Creating curls or waves REALLY helps add to the volume of your hair. You can do this with a curling iron, sponge curlers, or even braid your hair at night while it's wet and take it out in the morning for soft waves.

4. Splish, Splash- Make sure you have CLEAN hair. Nothing weighs hair down more than oily, greasy roots. Make sure your using products that aren't heavy and oil it may look nice at first but through the day it will start weighing down your hair. Dry shampoo can help you achieve this look between washes.

5 Tease- Backcombing helps add volume to whatever level you want. You can add lots of volume at the crown of your head, or do a little teasing all around to get all over volume!

Enjoy your beautiful voluminous hair!

HUGS!

XOXO

Feminine with an Edge

2011-10-05T17:52:00.001-06:00

Feminine with an Edge by sparklemepink22 featuring wool coats

September Favorites!

2011-10-04T14:57:00.000-06:00

10 Things I Like in a Guy

2011-10-03T16:11:00.002-06:00

In no particular order....

1. Optimistic/ Happy/ Loving
2. Patient
3. Puts God before me, wants to be with me for eternity
4. Great with kids (likes to play and have fun but also knows how to be the adult and discipline)
5. My family has to like and approve of him.
6. Ambitious
7. Can learn, adapt, and wants to grow and become a better person on his own.
8. Respects and loves me
9. Fun, supportive, and makes me laugh all the time
10. Looks like this

NOTD (Nail of the Day)

2011-10-02T17:03:00.000-06:00

Ingrid by China Glaze. Great for fall! Happy Sunday.
XOXO

Happy Blogtober!

2011-10-01T16:24:00.000-06:00

So I decided to do Blogtober this month. This is a blogger/vlogger challenge to post something everyday of the month! I decided to try my hand at it and see how it goes! Posts can be about anything. If you have any requests leave them below or contact me on Twitter! I have had so many wonderful people contact me about my blog so I'm really excited to do this and get some feedback and enjoy chatting with all of you!

XOXO

Burberry Lovin'

2011-09-28T19:35:00.003-06:00

Burberry Lovin' by sparklemepink22 featuring a skinny belt

Makeup Organization Video

2011-09-28T19:01:00.002-06:00

Makeup organization! Hope this was helpful! :)

Fall is Coming!

2011-09-12T15:46:00.001-06:00

Fall is Coming! by sparklemepink22 featuring vintage gold earrings

We Will Always Remember

2011-09-11T15:36:00.000-06:00

There are certain events in history that people remember exactly where they were when it happen. September 11th was one such occasion. The aftermath was something that opened my young eyes to a bigger world that I had not ever encountered. Today marks ten years since this tragedy, but it seems as though it was just a short time ago.

Our country united that day, stood strong against adversity, against tragedy, and again terrorism. It was the day each of us found a stronger sense of what it means to be American. It was a day we all turned to those near us to offer a hand of compassion and forget ourselves in the effort to help others.

It was an event that made me proud to be an American. I will always remember...

Soft and Sweet

2011-09-07T15:35:00.001-06:00

Soft and Sweet by sparklemepink22 featuring monogrammed bags

Facial Masks

2011-08-28T22:54:00.000-06:00

Finding the right face mask is crucial for optimal results. Face masks are great for deep cleansing, hydrating, and making your skin look younger and healthier. To achieve the desired results you should go by your skin type. If you don't know your skin type click HERE for the test to find out!

Oily skin- Go with a clay based mask! These are great for detoxifying, closing pores and drying out skin that produces too much oil. HERE are some options!

Dry skin- You need a moisturizing mask. These are SUPER hydrating masks that rejuvenate skin by letting moisture soak into the skin. Skin with feel refreshed, smoother and softer! HERE are some options!

Normal skin- If acne or dryness aren't an issue you will want a make that helps bring radiance, exfoliate the skin and keep it healthy and happy! HERE

Don't want to break the bank there are TONS of homemade face masks that you can make right from your kitchen!

Back 2 School: What's in My Backpack

2011-08-15T00:20:00.000-06:00

Sunshine

2011-08-15T00:18:00.001-06:00

Sunshine by sparklemepink22 featuring gold and silver rings

Back 2 School

2011-08-11T12:52:00.004-06:00

Just for you

2011-08-06T12:05:00.001-06:00

Just for you by sparklemepink22 featuring heart jewelry

American Eagle Outfitters pinstripe shirt
$40 - ae.com

3.1 Phillip Lim highwaisted shorts
$113 - lagarconne.com

Lace flat shoes
$90 - sperrytopsider.com

Dorothy Perkins saddle bag
£20 - dorothyperkins.com

Cath Kidston locket jewelry
$66 - asos.com

Kate Spade south sea pearl earrings
$48 - couture.zappos.com

Heart jewelry
£10 - whistles.co.uk

Fire at Dark

2011-08-05T23:14:00.001-06:00

Fire at Dark by sparklemepink22 featuring post earrings

Karen Millen silk dress
£190 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Kurt Geiger high heel pumps
£90 - johnlewis.com

Hermes bag
$1,525 - usa.hermes.com

Jamie Wolf moonstone jewelry
$1,250 - barneys.com

Twist ring
$575 - tiffany.com

Lauren by Ralph Lauren post earrings
$24 - bloomingdales.com

Red belt
$70 - topshop.com

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture - 13: Le Orange
$30 - barneys.com

Lush Haul: New Hair Care Kits

2011-07-25T17:03:00.000-06:00

This is where you can find the hair kits!

Beauty Secret: Vaseline

2011-07-20T19:45:00.000-06:00

There are so many products out there but Vaseline is ageless! Everyone loves it and has used it FOREVER! I've done lots of research on safety (here is article one of many) and have found that if used properly it's a safe and very useful product!

Click here for my video on uses Vaseline

Even more uses:

1. Put a coat on your eyelashes before you go to bed. Lots of people swear by this - and say it will make your lashes grow longer and thicker over time.

2. Put a coat of Vaseline on your feet at night, cover them with socks and wake up to softer feet - every day!

3. Put Vaseline on your elbows every day - they will stay soft!

4. Put Vaseline on your cuticles several times a day for softer and better looking cuticles every day.

5. Put Vaseline on chapped lips

6. Use Vaseline as lip gloss

9. Maintains perfume scent longer when applied at perfume points before spritzing the perfume.

10.Moisturizes severe dry skin

11 Use Vaseline on your knees to prevent that dry, ashy look

12. Mix with sea salts to make a scrub!

13. Applying Vaseline on your teeth prevents lips from sticking to teeth for celebrities and contestants in beauty pageants who smile a lot

14. Applied on teeth before applying lipstick prevents lipstick from sticking on them

15. Massage, baby!

16. Warmed up can be used as a night cream

17. Makeup remover

18. Protects skin exposed to adverse weather

19. Applied under eye shadow it can create a shiny effect

20. Applied on cheeks for a dewy look

21. Can be used to smooth and soothe skin after shaving

22. Used in manicures under cuticles

23. Gets rid of dry skin lines which can arise from washing

24. Lubricates ear lobes and helps to make earring insertion easy and painless

25. Keeps fingernails pliable and resilient

26. Use with your lipstick to create a cream blusher for your cheeks

27. Helps to ease off stuck on rings

28. Tames unruly eyebrows

29. Defines eyelashes and leaves them with a glossy and waterproof look

30. Conditions scalp pre-shampooing

31. Can help prevent chaffing

32. Reduces scaling and itching associated with dandruff

33. Theraputic when applied to lesions caused by poison ivy

34. Can help improve condition of those with atopic eczema

35. Helps heal and protect new tattoos

36. Can protect against harmful hair dyeing, perming and straightening chemicals when used as a mask around the hairline

37. Use a tiny dab to put a quick shine on your shoes and bags

38. Smear a tiny bit on your hands and scrunch through your hair for a choppy look

39. Use just a touch on the ends of your hair to hide dry and split ends

40. Remove makeup stains from clothing

41. Rub Vaseline on the neck of your nail polish bottles and they won’t get stuck to the caps

42. Make your week old nail polish look new again - rub a small dab over the polish.

43. Use a touch of Vaseline mixed with powder eyeshadow pigment to make new colors, or a more solid eyeshadow that won’t get all over your face when you put it on.

44. Stretch your favorite lotion by mixing it with Vaseline.

45. Put Vaseline on your lips, leave it a few minutes, then scrub your lips with a toothbrush to exfoliate and leave them SO smooth

46. Remove false eyelash glue from your lash line

47. Apply a small amount on dry spots on your body before fake tanning lotions are applied, and prevent uneven tanning!

48. Generously apply Vaseline all over before taking flights to combat associated dryness.

Here is the lovely blog where I found this info!

Primer vs. Base

2011-05-18T22:32:00.004-06:00

These two things get confused as being one in the same. While they may seem similar, they have completely different purposes. Products work differently on different people, therefore some people can use bases without a primer while other people must wear a primer and a base. I have not only hooded eyes but oil lids, so I HAVE to wear a primer, and if I do wear a base it's a very light thin layer.

Primers create a barrier between your skin & your product. (Urban Decay Primer Potion, Two-Faced Shadow Insurance to name the BEST two). They are used to help your eye shadows blend easier, to keep shadows from creasing or easily smudging off and make the shadow more true to color because the oil on your eyes isn't distorting the color and your skin isn't absorbing the color. They also may correct any discoloration that you have on your lid to ensure an even distribution of color.

Eyeshadow bases adhere to your skin and create a base color for your eyeshadow. You can use a shimmering base to liven up a flat or matte shadow, a dark base to darken up a shadow, a white base to make a color brighter or a colored base to add a different affect to a shadow by mixing different colors together. You don't only have to use things that are labeled "Eyeshadow Base" to accomplish these effects. Jumbo pencils, eye liner pencils, gel eyeliner, cream eye shadows, paint sticks, paint pots......and lots more can all be used. Eyeshadow bases also tend to crease, so putting a good primer underneath is important to keep your makeup from being ruined quickly.

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO

XOXO

My March Madness

2011-04-05T17:59:00.003-06:00

March is always a crazy month! I figured I would write about exciting things that happened his month!

Favorite place this month: Disneyland- Got to go to Disneyland so fun! I love it so much you can't go wrong with Disney! :) :):)

Favorite Event: Ceili- I held a big dance party at a local elementary school for the dancers and community! Lots of work, lots of stress, really fun! I had two mid terms that day too, which just added to the craziness of it all!

I had lunch with my BEST friend ever!! I love her and miss her sooo much, we don't live all that far but I never see her!

I had a major presentation for my Forensic Law class... :/ I'm SOOOOOOO glad it's over, we'd been working on it all semester and now it's done. The project was on the court case Atkins v. Virginia it's about the death penalty on those who are mentally handicapped.

I read Vanishing Act I might do a separate post on that one not sure yet.... :P

Favorite makeup product: Origins vitaZing It's sooooooo fabulous love love love it! I'm going to do a review on my channel about it! It's a tinted moisturizer of sorts!:)

XOXO

Lush Demo: Think Pink, Mrs. Whippy and Twilight Ballistic

2011-03-30T22:13:00.002-06:00

Think Pink:
Very cute bomb! Turns the water pink and little pink hearts take over the bath tub! Smelled great made really pink water which made my day! It wasn't particularly moisturizing but it was very fun after a rough day!

Mrs. Whippy:
This bomb was wonderful it was really milking and moisturizing. I guess it's supposed to smell like strawberries and cream, didn't so much get that, but moist Lush products don't smell the way they are described to me. The center of this one looked like it has oatmeal or something in it that dissolved at the same time as the bomb around it but I think that's what made it so moisturizing. It made light pink water and bubbles and was really frothy. :)

Twilight Ballistic:
I LOOOVED the smell of this one... it was kind of vanilla with lavender. I kept it in my closet with some clothes and it made my clothes smell like it and it's AMAZING!!! I love the smell! :P This one took the longest to fizz out it took a LOOOOONG time. It was beautiful to watch, propelling itself around the tub. It turned the water a really deep purple color and released all sorts of sparkles. :) As the bomb got closer to the center it started to look like an apple core and after all the pink it started to turn blue it had little pods of blue that bursted and then the pink and the blue made a big swirl like a galaxy in the tub you can see it in the video at 3:05 it was like that longer but I just got it breaking apart. Soooo fun! :) I think turning on the water after it had been going to a while made more bubbles so I couldn't see the water as much...Really fun!

XOXO

New Addiction!

2011-03-27T01:57:00.001-06:00

SO I realize this is totally ridiculous! It's on online system where you take a test and basically it tells you your style and then recommends things that you may like from BILLIONS of brands! It takes some tweaking but it's really fun! You can follow other people and look and see what they like too! It's called http://www.boutiques.com

This is the favorites page my my boutique not everything comes up but some of the stuff does!
My favorites

It's fun check it out!

XOXO

Vanishing Act by Jodi Picoult

2011-03-23T01:24:00.003-06:00

I have this really bad habit of starting books and then putting them down for years at a time and then coming back to them... It's really hard for me to find books that enjoy and hold my attention but even when I do life seems to get in the way and the book ends up back on the self until later... This book was no different I started it two years ago and found it. The bookmark was still in it but of course I have no clue what was going on in the book. So I figured I would blog about it, hoping that will keep me motivated to finish. I want to finish it by the end of March, which is about a week from now. It's a great book and I always love reading her books! I really love reading and want to get in the habit of at least reading one a month, and I can't cheat and use scriptures because that's a given. So this is going to be my book for March. :D

Gold and Purple Tutorial

2011-03-22T21:48:00.000-06:00

HILARIOUS!

2011-03-16T01:51:00.001-06:00

K.... Most RIDICULOUS song ever!!! hahahahahahahahahahaha I can't stop laughing.

Craving....

2011-03-12T21:56:00.000-07:00

Sooooo... I'm craving something... and I don't know what. I haven't eaten dinner and it's almost 10 o'clock but I was kind of waiting to see if I could figure out what I was craving. NO such luck!
Celery tends to be the thing that I crave most... weird I know, but I start going crazy sometimes until I get it, it's really strange. Then it's salty things, chips, popcorn, crackers, carbs of any sort. Well I've had my celery and I made some bacon flavored popcorn.
It's horrible not knowing what you're craving, it's like having a word you can't remember on the tip of your tongue. How am I supposed to problem solve my way out of this one? Keep eating till it's gone I guess?

Happy munching!

XOXO

Japan Massive Earthquake

2011-03-11T10:28:00.006-07:00

Japan has been hit with a major catastrophe. I figured that this would be a historical event that I should document.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12709598

Live Laugh Love

2011-02-27T17:20:00.000-07:00

Be open to the world and all it has to offer. Our life here is never long enough and will fly by much more quickly than any of us realize. I feel like I've spent my whole life doing exactly the "right" thing to avoid guilt. I feel like we need to be happy enjoy everything around us: people, places, foods, nature, technology and everything else we can... I feel as though I've been stuck in a mold and I've closed myself off to so much in life because I don't want to stand to close to the line of right and wrong or to avoid the risk of making the wrong choice, or doing the wrong thing. Now, it seems I'm at a time where I'm letting that go. I see things differently than I did when I was younger, I don't have to be perfect. Sometimes it's just about living life, experiencing things and taking risks (which I have NEVER been one to do). I have shut myself off from so many things and people.

Relationships with others are the most important things we have. Today someone said, you can see how much you value something by how much time you put into it. People who are important deserve more time than anything else, so why is it that we spend so much of our time doing things that don't really matter?

I'm making a goal this week and hope you'll do the same. I'm going to spend a little more time with someone who matters. I'm going to catch up with an old friend and spend some time with them this week.

Don't forget to smile! :)

XOXO

Diversity

2011-02-15T11:25:00.000-07:00

Today has been interesting... I guess I've been reflecting on people and how different we all are. I just find it fascinating how people can come from such similar circumstances yet have different views on things. It's amazing what each individual brings to the world and how we can enhance other peoples lives through our influence.
I stumbled upon this channel looking for something totally different. I started watching all the different peoples videos and looking at their lives and it was just so interesting to me to see how all these people can lead such different lives but have something so huge in common. I stand all amazed. :0)

My life in a Nutshell

2011-02-15T00:29:00.001-07:00

CLICK HERE! Won't let me embed sorry :P

:)

2011-02-05T23:45:00.000-07:00

Have a wonderful day! :)

Obedience

2011-01-25T01:37:00.000-07:00

While studying the Scriptures tonight I came across an interesting verse: "Yea, how could you have given way to the enticing of him who is seeking to hurl away your souls down to everlasting misery and endless wo?" Really bleak, I know :P It's just interesting that so many people (including myself) will do things that aren't good things when we are warned so often not to. These things only give us temporary satisfaction and then make us miserable later. I guess it just played off of an idea that we talked about recently in Sunday school really well. We talked about how being obedient is protective, not restrictive and more relevant; being obedient brings freedom into our lives that we wouldn't otherwise have. When I follow commandments given through the Prophet or leaders it really does make me happier to be more productive, help others, and feel better. Following instruction and gives me a freedom that sin never will. There are BILLIONS of examples of this but Christ asked us to love one another and was the ultimate example on how to do this. I feel like when we love others, as well as help and serve them, we are more focused on others than ourselves, which allows us to be so much more productive in the world. We build better relationships with people and find more connections with people we never thought we would and become of more use to the people we come in contact with. Our horizons expand and we are able to live a more enriched and fulfilling life... Sounds worth it to me :)

RANT :(

2011-01-12T23:16:00.000-07:00

I hate it when people don't trust you to do your job!!!!! It's sooo frustrating!

It hurts the most when it was the one person who believed in you the most and is disappointed in you because they won't listen to your expertise.

Everyone is disappointed and I feel like it's my fault even though I know full and well that it's not...

Sometimes, I realize that I just don't love what I do enough to put up with these catastrophes. Should I throw in the towel? There are so many other things I could pursue and want to do... but saying that makes me feel like I'm weak and don't deserve to or have enough passion to be successful at this...I feel like there should be nothing else I want more... All the drama just makes me want to close the door and move on...

I've dealt with enough crap this last year, and to even spend one moment being frustrated and unhappy is just not worth it to me anymore. I want everyone to be happy and in what I do that's not going to happen and if it does it ends up hurting someone whether they know it or not.

So the solution? Give them what they want and be okay with it...there is nothing else I can do...but I feel like that's what I spend most of my time doing.. giving into things I don't think are okay to please people!!!!!!!!!!!! I chalk it up to owning a business that deals directly with people... so I guess that's just how it has to be... that's life as an adult I guess...

My Car Needs a Snuggie

2011-01-09T21:57:00.000-07:00

I seriously let my car "warm up" for ten mins. before driving it... oops! Click here for the actual site with everything on it! I just cut the important stuff. :P

1. Driving warms the car faster than idling

If your concern is not the health of the car, but simply your own creature comforts, Bob Aldrich of the California Energy Commission points out that "idling is not actually an effective way to warm up a car — it warms up faster if you just drive it."

2. Ten seconds is all you need

Environmental Defense Fund, which produced the Idling Gets You Nowhere campaign, advises motorists to turn off their ignition if they're sitting stopped for more than 10 seconds.

"After about 10 seconds, you waste more money running the engine than restarting it, said Andy Darrell, deputy director of the EDF Energy Program. "Switch the car off at the curb, and you'll be leaving money in your wallet and protecting the air in your community."

3. Idling hurts the car (this is the one that got me!)

According to the Hinkle Charitable Foundation's Anti-Idling Primer, idling forces an engine "to operate in a very inefficient and gasoline-rich mode that, over time, can degrade the engine's performance and reduce mileage."

The Campaign for an Idle-Free New York City points out that idling causes carbon residues to build up inside the engine, which reduces its efficiency.

4. Idling costs money

Over a year of five minutes of daily idling (which causes incomplete combustion of fuel), the "Anti-Idling Primer" estimates that the operator of a V8-engine car will waste 20 gallons of gasoline, which not only produces 440 pounds of carbon dioxide but costs at least $60.

5. Idling in the garage can kill you

Idling a car in a garage, even with the door open, is dangerous and exposes the driver to carbon monoxide and other noxious gases. If the garage is attached, those fumes can also enter the house.

6. Block heaters beat remote starters

Lori Strothard of the Waterloo Citizens Vehicle Idling Reduction Task Force in Canada says, "Remote starters can too easily cause people to warm up their cars for 5 to 15 minutes, which is generally unnecessary."

A block heater, which is designed to heat the engine and can cost under $30, on a timer set to start one to two hours before driving, does the trick in very cold climates.

7. Quick errands aren't quick enough

Natural Resources Canada points out that leaving your car idling while you're running into a store on an errand or going back into the house to pick up a forgotten item is another way to waste gas and pollute both your town and the planet.

"Leaving your engine running is hard on your pocketbook, produces greenhouse gas emissions, and is an invitation to car thieves," the agency (PDF) says.

8. Idling is bad for your health (and your neighbor's health)

According to Minneapolis' anti-idling ordinance, "Exhaust is hazardous to human health, especially children's; studies have linked air pollution to increased rates of cancer, heart and lung disease, asthma and allergies."

Isabelle Silverman, who runs EDF's anti-idling campaign, says that car idling "is the second-hand smoking of the outdoors. One of the problems is that cars idle close to the curb, where pedestrians are walking. And when you have a child in a stroller, they are particularly close to the tailpipe. Studies show that children's IQ levels are lower when they live near major roads with lots of traffic." (A fresh study even links autism to freeway pollution.)

Alex Scaperotta, who created an anti-idling campaign with a classmate when he was in fifth grade in Wilton, Connecticut, came up with a slogan that was used on bumper stickers and websites: "If you're stopped for more than 10, turn it off and on again." Sounds like good advice.

:0)

2011-01-08T00:40:00.002-07:00

What I got for Christmas :)

2011-01-02T23:50:00.003-07:00

The Three Trees: By Russell Arben Fox

2010-12-24T21:52:00.000-07:00

This is a Christmas story I remember my family reading when I was little. Reading it really reminds me of Christmas and all that it stands for. I thought I'd share it... :0) Merry Christmas!

Once upon a time, three little trees stood in a forest high on a mountain, dreaming of what they would be when they were grown.

The first little tree looked up at the stars twinkling like diamonds in the night sky. “I want to hold treasure,” it said. “I want to be filled with gold and decorated with jewels. I will be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!”

The second little tree looked down the mountainside at the ocean far below. “I want to be a strong sailing ship,” it said. “I want to travel mighty waters and carry powerful kings. I will be the strongest ship in the world!”

The third little tree said, “I don’t want to leave this mountaintop at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me their eyes will raise up to heaven, and they will think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world!”

Years passed, and the trees grew. And then one day, three woodcutters climbed the mountain.

One woodcutter looked at the first tree and said, “This tree is beautiful! It is perfect for me.” With a dozen swoops of his axe, the first tree fell.

“Now I shall be made into a beautiful treasure chest,” thought the first tree. “I shall hold marvelous treasures!”

Another woodcutter looked at the second tree and said, “This tree is strong! It is perfect for me.” With a dozen swoops of his axe, the second tree fell.

“Now I shall sail mighty waters,” thought the second tree. “I shall be made into a strong ship fit for powerful kings!”

The third tree felt its heart sink as the last woodcutter approached. It stood straight and tall and pointed bravely towards heaven. But the last woodcutter never even looked up. “Any kind of tree will do for me,” he muttered. With a dozen swoops of his axe, the third tree fell.

The first tree rejoiced when the woodcutter took it to a carpenter’s shop. But the carpenter was not thinking about treasure chests. Instead, he cut and carved the tree into a simple feedbox. The once-beautiful tree was not filled with gold or decorated with jewels. It was covered with dust, and filled with hay for hungry farm animals.

The second tree rejoiced when the wookcutter took it to a shipyard. But the shipbuilder was not thinking about mighty sailing ships. Instead, he hammered and sawed the tree into a simple fishing boat. The once-strong tree was too weak to sail the ocean. It was taken to a little lake, where every day it carried loads of dead, smelly fish.

The third tree was confused when the woodcutter took it to a lumberyard, where it was cut into strong beams and then left alone. “What happened?” the once-tall tree wondered. “All I ever wanted to do was stay on the mountaintop, grow tall, and make people think of God.”

Years passed, and the three trees nearly forgot their dreams.

But then one still and silent night, golden starlight poured over the first tree, as a young woman placed a newborn baby into the feedbox.

“I wish I could make a cradle for him,” her husband whispered.

The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the clean and shining wood. “This manger is beautiful,” she said. And suddenly the first tree knew it was holding the greatest treasure in the world.

And then one humid and cloudy day, a tired traveller and his friends crowded into the small fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second tree sailed quietly out into the lake. But a thundering storm arose, and the second tree shuddered, knowing that it did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through the fierce wind and rain.

The tired traveler awoke. He stood up, stretched out his hand, and said with a strong voice, “Peace, be still.” The storm stopped as quickly as it had began. And suddenly the second tree knew it was carrying the King of heaven and earth.

And then one terrible Friday morning, the third tree was startled as its beams were yanked from the old lumberyard. It flinched as it was was carried through an angry, jeering, spitting crowd. It shuddered when soldiers nailed a man’s hands and feet to her. It groaned as the man cried out in agony and died. It felt ugly and harsh and cruel.

But at dawn the next Sunday, on the first Easter morning, the earth trembled with joy beneath the third tree, and it knew that God’s love had changed everything.

It had made the first little tree a beautiful treasure chest. It had made the second little tree a strong sailing ship. And every time people looked upon the third little tree, they would think of God.

That was even better than being the tallest tree in the world.

Family

2010-12-23T23:40:00.000-07:00

Family is so fun! No matter how crazy and ridiculous you may be they love you! I love my family and wouldn't trade them for anything! My family is interesting... we are FAR from perfect, but we all accept each other and love each other in spite of our many shortcomings. Sure we get upset and I won't lie and say there isn't drama...because there is... a lot of drama. But somehow we all love each other. This means standing up for each other, accepting each person for who they are, and enjoying being around them. I can honestly say that my family does all of these things. I know that in this day and age a statement like that is far from true in many families, which is why my family is so special to me. I love my whole, big, crazy family! <3 <3

I wish....

2010-12-23T01:33:00.001-07:00

I was....... :P

Sabbath Day

2010-12-20T02:37:00.003-07:00

Sabbath means "to rest" in Hebrew. Today our lesson in Sunday school was about keeping this most sacred day holy. I loved the way the lesson was broken down and just wanted to share it because I felt in was rather insightful.

What does keeping the Sunday holy even mean? I guess for me it's the attitude towards the day. Sunday should be treated as a special day to rest and be in the presence of the Lord. Not that the rest of the week isn't for that, but life is hectic! Things get crazy and often times we lose sight of what's important. Slowing down and making Sunday a special day helps me to become closer to my Heavenly Father and focus. I feel like having an attitude of reverence helps to invite The Spirit into my home and life. It shouldn't be like every other day, doing the same activities and things we do everyday (unless you're perfect and listen to nothing but church music and meditate everyday of your life):P It's a day for doing the things that bring you the most peace. For me that's trying not to do things like.... homework, work related things, shopping, cleaning, and my biggest one watching movies or shows I normally do during the week. Not that I watch anything inappropriate or that that's even a bad thing, but I feel like there are things that are more inviting of peace and The Spirit than those things.

It's also a day for personal reflection, and spending time with family and friends. Being together in a time where everyone is in a rush and cities never sleep, is so important. It's essential to take time to appreciate loved ones and slow down to help enforce strong bonds of love and respect. And what a better time to do it? :)

Why is it important keep the Sabbath day holy?
1. Physical/Mental Renewal - Even God needed to rest after creating the world, what makes us think we are any better? Everyone needs physical break to be healthy. I find that during periods in my life when I am not observing the Sabbath I tend to run... and run.. and run and then crash. It seems to me it's better to take once a week to physically renew instead of doing things until you drop! Also, it's been shown in lots of studies (like my scientific qualification there?:P) that performance levels improve when people work, exercise, study ect. six days rather than seven. I feel like I can better focus on things when I'm not neck deep in them ALL the time. Same with life, when I take Sunday to renew myself I can better tackle it's challenges! :)

2. Spiritual Strengthening - In putting the cares of the world aside for a day; I have more time to focus on more important things. It gives me a chance to focus on the Lord without distraction, and be more perceptive to The Spirit. It gives me a chance to create an environment where I can learn and grow in simple moments with the lord.

3. Obedience to the Lord's Commandments - The Lord has commanded his people to keep the Sabbath holy. Personally, I feel like God, who created me, knows more about it than I do! :P In obeying His commandments we show that we love him... I feel like if for no other reason, I want to keep the Sabbath holy to show my love and gratitude to the Lord. :)

The following is my list of Sunday activities that I find help me "keep Sundays special" :)

*listen to spiritually uplifting music
*Reading conference talks from LDS.org
*Blog about a church lesson :P
*Play an instrument
*Write in a journal
*Go for a walk
*Color or decorate this weeks goals
*Visit the hospital or rest home
*Sing
*Nap
*Make a craft
*Make treats for someone
*thank you cards
*stretch
*talk with an old friend
*Sunday night dinner and cards with my family

The most important thing is for people to understand that different things bring peace to different people. I know that keeping the Sabbath Day holy will make me happy and efficient in the my day to day activities and the Lords work. I know the joy that comes from following the Lords warnings and commandments. :)

Totally unrelated link but I stumbled on it... hahaha enjoy!

http://lds.org/pages/the-blessings-of-the-temple-video?lang=eng

XOXO

Smile

2010-12-18T02:01:00.001-07:00

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

- Release hormones to regulate your mood
- Increase the number of antibodies that fight infection
- lower your blood pressure
- boost respiratory function;
- exercise dozens of facial muscles

- 72% of people think that those who smile frequently are confident and successful
- 86% of people are more likely to talk to strangers if they are smiling
- Bosses are 12% more likely to promote people who smile a lot*

I feel like smiling makes everything better. Try it. Seriously, when you're walking somewhere look up and smile, you may think it's goofy, but people smile back. And guess what!? You just made their day! Or at least helped them with some of the benefits listed above:)

So SMILE! :)

Stats source: *http://www.scribd.com/doc/13616/Secrets-of-a-Fake-Smile

Things you don't know about me!

2010-12-16T00:50:00.003-07:00

Just something fun! :)

XOXO

Wonderful Women

2010-12-15T01:12:00.002-07:00

Read this!
It is so interesting to me that I have so many wonderful women in my life. My mother, grandmother, sisters, aunts, and my best friends. So many times they are under appreciated. They do so much for those around them and it just amazes me that I have been so blessed to have so many wonderful examples in my life of strong, compassionate women.

"Heaven's Touch: A Tribute to Women" Featuring art by Greg Olsen has some of my all time favorite paintings and quotations. It's a lovely book and great buy for any woman.

I challenge anyone who reads this to do something special for a woman who has made a difference in their life. :) It doesn't have to be exciting or extravagant, but something that lets them know that they are special when things are tough.

XOXO