My Favorite Budget Make-Up Finds. . . .

howdy everyone!

i have been SO missing in action around here,

on my OWN blog!

what can i say. . . .

i'm kinda-sorta facing an empty nest next year

and i think i'm in a bit of a panic.  

Can i rewind a few years?

i know. . . .if only!

i mean, i've been gone so long. . . .

 i have so much to write about,

yet i can't seem to focus.

so i'll do a wildly random post,

starting with 

MAKE-UP!

i was looking in my make-up bag the other day and

realized something.

i'm a cheap budget make-up user.

then i got to thinking,

who cares?

i like my make-up!

THEN i thought,

maybe someone else would like to know what i've found

(for the moment:)

ok, maybe nobody cares.

but just in case. . . . .

see?

i told you i'm a real cheapo:)

i used to use a chanel lipgloss,

but they went and discontinued my favorite.

no worries...i found one i LOVE from MARK cosmetics.

okay, here's the breakdown. . . .not in the order i put them on my face,

unfortunately.

that would mean i was organized:)

1.  ULTA Extreme Wear Mousse Foundation.

drys to a soft powder finish, great coverage.

$12.50

2.  Almay Mascara. . .I use two.

first, I use One Coat Black Waterproof. $6.99

then on the tips, I use Intense I-Color in Plum. $7.99

(I learned this trick when I sold makeup. . .Use black on your lashes and then

a color mascara on the tips to bring out your eye color.

since i have hazel eyes with green flecks, 

I use the plum to bring out some green.)

3.  Camouflage Cover by Hard Candy (Walmart)

These are the BEST concealers and come in a cream and a fine pencil.

$6.99

4.  Rimmel Bronzer in Sundance.

I am the queen of spray tan and bronzer.

Addicted.

I use this on my make-up sponge if i want sheer color,

if i have a bit of a tan and need to darken my foundation,

and i use it with my blush, mixing this with a pink blush.

$4.99

5.  Milani Baked Blush in Dolce Pink
$6.99
6.  Sonia Kashuk Eye Pencil in Purple Passion
Target: $5.99
7.  I use matte eyeshadows in brown shades,
but if on a special occasion i want a bit of shimmer,
my hands-down favorite is also by Milani
in a shade called "Beached".
$6.99
8.  Earthtone Eyeshadows...I like NYX for a cheap brand,
find it at Ulta.  Also L'oreal eyeshadow too.
9.  Since my girlfriend Taylor became a MARK rep,
i've tried a few things.  One of my absolute favorites is the
Luxe Lipgloss.
It has the perfect shimmer, a great brush and easily competes with
the Chanel lipgloss.
$6.99
10.  I was using a primer but then I discovered a
pore filler from NYX.
i LOVE this.
it really does minimize pores. it's really light and. . . .
you guessed it.  cheap:)
$12.99 but often on sale.
11.  Again from MARK,
my new favorite moisturizer.
It has antioxidants, including blueberry and dk chocolate.
it has a cool dispenser, great scent, light and easy to use,
and it has a 30spf.
$15.00 range
12.  shampoo. . . .
what can i say?
my husband got me started on this one. . . .
Suave shampoo.
I especially love the Coconut or Tangerine scents.
It justy does what a shampoo and conditioner is supposed to do,
at a very low price:)
$1.00-$1.79
can't beat that!

i'm not saying everything i use will be great for all.
but i can recommend it if you're searching for something new.
i change my makeup up quite a bit,
 but over the past few years, it's been fairly consistent,
which says something, right?

well, i was going to write more but
i've rambled enough.
hopefully i've showed you that you can buy most of your
make-up at the drugstore,
and feel good about it!

i hope you've all been doing well,
enjoying your spring and feeling
happy:)

shine on!
Suzanne

Cute Stuff from Storenvy. . . .

do you like to shop online?

i have to confess. . . . .i do from time to time.

Amazon is a favorite stop of mine,

and i love finding unique handmade things on etsy.

and now, there is storenvy.

i don't know quite what the site is all about but

i think it's like etsy, where you open your own little shop,

but the items don't have to be handmade.

anyway, i thought i'd show you a few cool things i saw while 

browsing the shops.

oh gosh, where do i start?

 how about those keyboard protectors. . .

from 1point99.com

some seriously cute stuf, don't ya think?

storenvy shop info. . . .

Rainbow Color Keybaord Pr...  1Point99.com $3.99 

       Heart Bracelet    My Lavender Milk $1.00

Grey Loose Casual T-shirt... Whitelily Fashion $18.00

Vintage Style Buckle Flap... Reiji $19.00

Lovely Pearls & Lace iPho... 1Point99.com $5.09

Denim stone washed and to... Socishop $15.99

 Retro Lolita Skater Skirt... Chicnova $28.80

 Handwarmers - Custom  A Stitch in Time $15.00

 Lace Boho Tank Lucky Seven Shop $14.99

Boho Fringe Messenger Pur... Lucky Seven Shop $17.99

Be Awesome Today 8x10 Print  LuciusArt $18.00

Heart Necklace in Gold, S...  P.S. I Love You More... $13.50

Cute Dog,puppy Necklace  Flowerdays $12.00

Delicate Miniature Heart ...  GlamPuss $10.70

 magic mirror necklace.  FemmeZecret $18.00

Lacey Top in White  DoubleLW $19.00

 Cute Simple Whale Animal ...  Dotoly $10.00

 love ring  Rooted $41.00

happy shopping!

xoxo

Suzanne

2013 Spring Fashion Trends I WON"T Be Wearing. . . . .

well, it's official.

i'm pretty much gonna be the girl around town in jeans

(surprise, surprise) or home in my jammies.

because fashions are pretty hopeless these days.

not that i'm a slave to fashion. . . . .

but since it does influence what is in the stores,

i do read about it a teeny bit and try to adapt for me. . . .a real person.

like the blog post i did about Mint Green.

I mean, emerald is the bigger color, but to me, 

emerald is fall and winter, not spring.

so i chose to focus on mint, which is also popular for a pastel green.

this is the "official"(?) color chart for spring.

they "say" you can veer off it to create your custom tone.

well, thank you for that.

geez. . . .

and not included is black and white, which is supposedly VERY big.

(note. . . .I have nothing against black and white.  My "NOT" to wear
list is after the black and white photo.)

but let's get to the real juicy part of this blog post,

what i will NOT be wearing this spring. . . . .

1.  Exaggerated Volume.

i'm serious...that's what they call this trend.

well, NO THANK YOU!

I don't need to exaggerate anything these days.

uggghhhhh. . . .

OH MY HECK!!!!!

let's see Heidi Klum wear this!:)

even Tim Gunn couldn't "make it work"!

2.  Gaudy, all-over Stripes!

Yikes. . . .prisoner fashion is not for me.

now, maybe a subtle stripe in a nautical tee or something.

still not me but not awful. . . .and kinda cute for some.

but this?  you think I'm kidding, don't you?

well, i saw stuff like this at the stores this week.

regular stores for regular people like me,

not high end stores.

so be warned. . . . .the stripes are out there;)

3.  Funky Sunglasses

nope. 

not me.

not anyone over age 5, i would think.

or not for anyone whose name isn't Taylor Swift.

(even then, it doesn't make them right!:)

4.. Cutout Fashion

ya, right!

but the sad thing is, i saw lots of cute blouses like this.

please, now i have to find a cami to go under it and. . . . .

too much work.

and those dresses. . . . . . whatever.

5.  Leather for Spring. . . . 

IF i was ever a leather person,

it was in coats.

period.

oh wait, i think in my college years i had a VERY appropriate

leather skirt.

that i wore to CHURCH. . . .

with a nice sweater.

in the WINTER!

which pretty much beats anything they wear these days.

and to think i caused such a scandal. . .

(hahaha. . . .)

6.  Pretty Much anything that strikes me as ugly. . . 

be it a print, a color, a cut. . . . .

or low pointy shoes that make my size 9ish feet look like

a size 14.

just sayin. . . . .

okay, that does it.

since the heat down here does kinda get to me,

can i hibernate for a while?

in jammies???

because i have to be honest. . . .

this is MUCH more my style!:)

happy friday!

xoxoxo

Suzanne

Black Friday Sales and a PINK Thanksgiving.....

Yikes.......

if there is one thing I DETEST it is the phrase 

"black" friday.

it just seems so dark for the start of CHRISTmas shopping and for the day after 

Thanksgiving,

even though I know it has to do with "being in the black".

and for personal reasons, i have very good reason to not like it...trust me:(

but for today's blog post i have to use it, 

so please excuse me because I stumbled

on something REALLY cool!!!

did you know........

you can go to

blackfriday.com

 and pull up early sales AND a list of what will

be on sale Friday?

so for those power shoppers,

no need to pore over ads.

you can make your shopping list RIGHT NOW:)

now for pink Thanksgiving,

for pink saturday....

bet you didn't think this would be possible but look at this.....

see, it is possible to have a pink thanksgiving!:)

xoxoxo

Suzanne

Beach Gypsies.......Our Little Corner of the Store

Well hello there.......

It's another day, another chance to get it right.......

We can only hope:)

Awhile back, I mentioned that we (my girls and I) have been busy

creating goodies to sell at Vintage Charm of Naples.

Well, we finally got enough together to have our very own corner of the store.

our style is shabby, beach cottage, girly and FUN.

it looks a bit cluttered in the pics but in person,

it's very pretty and whimsical.

i think:)

here are some photos.......

we turned it into a beachy winter wonderland!

 everything from sweet seahorses, to wreaths, to painted mason jars.

 ornaments, jewelry and even a mirror!

 can't forget the tutus...and notice the pink snowflakes?

a dollar store find, spray painted pink and glittered:)

 ruffled rompers and white Christmas trees!

we really got lucky with the paint color inside the store...

shabby-beachy aqua!

PERFECT for the BEACH GYPSIES!

if you're ever down south in Naples. stop by Vintage Charm.

you can't miss the beach gypsies little corner of the world:)

xoxo

Suzanne

Stuff i Love...Beauty Products

what on earth am i thinking...

sharing my "beauty picks"?

HECK, i don't know much about it...

but i do know what i LOVE right now.

and for some reason, i do get questions when i'm out.

some very KIND women, trying to make my day,
will often ask what i use for this or that.

so you see, i'm doing this for them! (haha)
AND...i'm showing you a before make-up and after make-up photo too.
just like oprah:)

now before i start, i should say that

I'm CHEAP!

let me rephrase that...
 i like a good buy:)

oh...if i thought it made a huge difference, maybe i would pay big bucks for cosmetics and stuff.

but having dabbled in makeup for many years,

even selling it,

i know that it isn't about where you buy it or what you pay...

it's about what works.

so please forgive how downright CHEAP some of my stuff is!

but i really do love it:)

let's get down to the good stuff...

1.  Face cleanser: PONDS COLD CREAM!

 seriously...i LOVE this stuff.

gentle, refreshing, great for my dry skin, removes my eye makeup...and CHEAP:)

i am absolutely hooked on this cool, white cream.
and i LOVE the clean scent!

2.  Dry, Cracked heels and fingers:  Gold Bond Healing Ointment!

 Very thick emollient...a little goes a long way.

lasts through hand washing. even helps my dry, brittle nails.

AWESOME!

and for all over dry skin...new Gold Bond Ribbons Body Cream.

again...AWESOME:)

 3.  Primer: Pur Minerals correcting face primer.

all of us chicks are in LOVE with this stuff!

 this fixes our skin before we even do foundation:)

4.  Foundation:  L'oreal True Match in Warm 6.

 I've tried SO many foundations...probably 6 this year alone...and come back to this every time.  Just right coverage and goes on nicely with a sponge.

5.  Blush:  I like a pinky-brown shade...and can't find one i love...
so i make my own!

 i dab my brush in a bronzer by Rimmel..."Sundance".

 and then i dab it into "pink passion" blush by ELF cosmetics ($1.00)...

 the two combined give me a perfect pinky-brown shade:)

6.  Eyeshadow:  I used to wear Clinique and still recommend it. But these days i like NYC eyes in "Union Square".

 wow...it's amazing!

Comes with a plum accent color, 2 browns and a beige shade for highlighting.

PLUS a primer for the eyes and pearl shimmer for highlighting cheekbones.

all for about $4.40! 

I also like L'Oreal eyeshadow quad in "Neutral".

These shades are great for accenting my hazel eyes and bringing out the green.

7.  Eyepencil:  "Purple Passion" by Sonia Kashuk, sold at Target.

 My favorite for a few years now...makes my hazel eyes green:)

M.A.C. waterproof pencils are great too.

8.  Mascara:  wish i had a secret here, but it all comes down to preferences.

My lashes are short and sparse...

yet i don't like a gloppy mascara to thicken them.
oh, i've used Lancome to thicken. but i never stick with it...
so i must not be crazy about the stuff.

these days I wear black waterproof mega-length mascara by Wet n Wild.

 Really thin brush and 2 coats gives me lashes longer than normal.

stays on with no smudging but comes off easy with my Ponds Cold Cream:)
but i really do believe mascara is one of those things you really have to experiment to
find your favorite.

9:  Lips:  I line with a neutral rosy brown pencil and fill in with NYC pink lip pen in persistent pink.

again...i'm going for a subtle pinky-brown shade.  Then I follow that with a gloss or sometimes JUST the gloss and lip pencil. Shimmer gloss...always shimmer!

i LOVE Galactic by Chanel...my splurge:)

 however, my sis recently gave me an adorable kit of Mary Kay glosses that are just as nice and have a variety of shades...all wearable.
Big hit in our house...i think we may be hooked!

10.  Nails...I use Nailene Skinny French White Manicure pen and clear topcoat for a french manicured look.

 This stuff is AMAZING!!!
Especially great for pedicures.

11.  Haircolor...L'Oreal Petite Frost in Chardonnay.

comes with a cap but I only do that about every third or fourth time.
the other times, I just paint on a few highlights where I need them.

12.  Perfume:  i know some like a fresh scent.
i like a sweeter scent which is why i LOVE Pink Sugar!

 for a flowery scent, i would have to go with Sarah Jessica Parker's perfume...
LOVELY.

 and it sure is:)




13.  Body Lotion/Spray/Shower Gels:  Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush line.
The body wash comes in Cotton Candy, Juiced Berry, Coconut Craze, Honey Do,
Slice of Heaven, and Appletini.

 You can use these as a shower gel, bubble bath, or shampoo
a la Philosophy 3-in-1′s! Awesome right? Plus they are priced at 3 for $25 so you won’t break the bank too much by indulging.


14. Shampoo:  I'm a really simple, cheap girl here.

 i like Suave Coconut or Mandarin Orange shampoo:)

15. Styling Products.
i LOVE Jonathan's "dirt" for hair but haven't found it in years,
so i use Surf Head paste these days.

 

16. Skin Care:  my skin has gotten so dry.

and with the sun damage i did to it, there's no telling what is on the horizon for me.

but for now, i seem to be warding off horrible signs with a simple routine.

Taylor got a sample of this stuff and i used it...

and was quickly hooked.

it's the anti-aging skin care line by Dr. Patricia Wexler,

sold at Bath and Body Works.

best part...it lasts a long time!

well, i guess that's it.

sorry this isn't more inspiring but at least you can say it's a bargain, right?

thanks for stopping by!

i'm not sure what my next "stuff i love" post will be about.

 guess it's a surprise...

for me too:)

i need to clean out my closet...DESPERATELY...so maybe

i'll do a Stuff i Love closet edition.

see you soon!

xoxoxo

Suzanne

P.S.   

OOPS...forgot the before/after photo!

 see below...

hey...i just said before and after makeup...

i didn't say all in the same day!:D

Shabby Chicks Online Christmas Party...Calling all Sellers!

Christmas Countdowns at WiddlyTinks.com

hahaha...

NO, i'm NOT kidding!

i'm talking real, honest to goodness, Christmas shopping.

i mean, have you noticed the survey

at the top right corner of my blog?????

okay...IF you're still with me,

here's the deal.....

this is september.....

and before you know it, december will be here.

this time of year gets crazy for so many of us.

the older i get, the more i hate that.

i don't LIKE that we get lost in only the FUN stuff of the Holidays

and lose sight of the REAL reason for the season.
(but i DO believe it's okay to be real AND have fun:)

this season is also NUTCRACKER season around our house

so it adds one more twist on this time...

and i end up wishing i had started earlier.

besides, you'll have more time to decorate like THIS.....

i KNOW it isn't the gifts that matter,

but since we DO exchange presents, i really like to put a bit of

thought behind this...but then i end up grabbing

SOMETHING just to be done.....
just to lose the crowds.

(bah humbug:)

so why not start early this year and even better,

why not support the WONDERFUL

friends we have all made who sell online?

it could be through a company website that has your name on it,

an etsy store, your own website, blog.....

wherever you sell your pretties and what nots:!
 and the beauty of it is, you can get involved
in as many of these parties as you like...
even more business, right?

PLUS, we all know that when you sell your own creations,
you still have a life.....
and the SOONER you get orders done,
the MERRIER your own HOLIDAYS will be.

so even though it's early,
i wanted to give you a head's up about our first annual
SHABBY CHICKS online Christmas shopping party.

 i'm starting it OCTOBER 1st.
that gives me time to make a link to the party for you to tell ALL
your readers where to shop,
time to make a shopping section on my blog...
good stuff like that.
it might start small at first but as we get rolling and gather more links...
it WILL be awesome, i promise you that!

so don't miss out!
all i need is this.....
send me the link to your site,
along with a brief line or two about what you sell,
 if you offer any early shopping specials, order deadlines, free shipping.....
any info you would like shoppers to know about.

what i will do for YOU is this....
each week i will PROMOTE at least one shop,
i will visit every possible place on the web and tell everyone i know
about our little party to bring in shoppers,
tweet often...HECK......
i'll even re-activate my facebook
to tell the snoops sweet people of this world all about it!
HEEHEEHEE!

and did i mention a few GIVEAWAYS???????
(that always gets everyone's attention:)

like i said...i still have work to do but i am DETERMINED
to make this work.
last year i did a bit of my shopping online and guess what?????
those ended up being my most creative, unique, clever gifts.
so let's DO this!

no matter what you sell.....
(except NOTHING inappropriate, of course)
from tupperware to tutus......
join in.
it's free advertising!!!

so take my shopping survey, send me your info,
start gathering your supplies,
make some RED VELVET hot cocoa
and
LET"S SHOP!

HO,HO,HO

Suzanne

RED VELVET HOT COCOA

• 4 cups Whole Milk
• 1 dash Water
• ¾ cups Premium Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips
• 1 teaspoon Red Food Coloring Paste
• 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
• 1 Tablespoon Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Whipped Cream Cheese 

In a medium mixing bowl or a stand-up mixer, pour in heavy whipping cream and sugar. Whip on medium with the whisk attachment for 2-3 minutes. Just before it peaks, add the teaspoon of whipped cream cheese and whisk for another 2 minutes. Taste the whipped cream and add more cream cheese to taste. If you like it more tart (i don't) ,  add another 1/2 teaspoon.  just be careful to not over-whip or you’ll have butter on your hands in no time.

In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat. Add a splash of water and the chocolate chips, constantly stirring gently. When almost melted, add the red food coloring paste and stir some more. The color should be a deep red, similar to the picture above. When the chocolate chips are all melted, pour the hot chocolate in four mugs and top with the whipped cream.