CONFESSIONS of a 50 Y.O Makeup Junkie...

Why hello there!

How are y'all doing today?

It's just me, your friendly, LAZY blogger:)

What can I say.........

I've been getting a few things ready for my friend's shop AND for some reason,

I've had a run on tutu orders.

The Beach Gypsies are back in business!! 

 I think. LOL

But more about that another time.

For today it's a beauty blog..........

for us chickies who are over the magic number of 50.

(And everyone else, too:)

So let's get to it!

I really am a makeup junkie.

But fortunately, I am a CHEAP makeup junkie!

And when I love something, I will use it to death.

(Or at least until something else catches my eye;)

HOWEVER,

this time, I feel really good about what I have chosen

AND

I have been using this stuff for quite awhile now.

See what you think..........

First up is SKINCARE!

OOOOOHHH.......this is a biggie for us over 50 chickies:)

Some things go unspoken but assumed.

Like...........SUNSCREEN!

~Considering the fact that I grew up BAKING in Michigan as a teen,

and have lived in South Florida (ahem.......the sub-tropics, technically)

for just over 20 years, I know a bit about sunscreen.  

Actually, I know about the PRICE you pay for baking in the sun,

which led me to know a little about sunscreen:)

Here is what I have to say about it...........

Use ingredients that have it added so when you forget, you have some help.

If not, use at least 30 SPF.  50 SPF if you really want to.

But most dermatologists will say the 100 SPF is just hooey.

Don't ditch your 30 and run to the store for 100 thinking it's better.

That's just good ol American marketing at work!

I like SunBum, Australian Gold and Neutrogena.  But that's just me:)

But here's what I really want to show you and it's for every day skincare.

For less than $40.00, 

y'all can keep your skin soft and mostly wrinkle free!

* Prices above are approximate, within 20cents, from Amazon.

Let's face it.........most of us are fighting dryer skin in these magical years.

And wrinkles.

So those are the issues I'm addressing here.............

#1 Coconut Oil  

I've talked about this (as everyone else has) many times before.

But in a nutshell, it's the BEST I have found for removing makeup (especially eye makeup),

moisturizing skin all over your body, and adding shine to hair.
Oh.......and it is a FABULOUS shaving cream:)

Seriously!  

I use the brand pictured above 

but just make sure you get any extra-virgin coconut oil.
I also use Lou-Ana, found at the grocery store.

#2 Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum

It's actually a very light cream in a tube, but we'll go with serum;)

Now, it boasts the claim that you will see improved skin in seven days.

And guess what?????

I DID!!!  I really LOVE this product and slap it on AS WELL AS coconut oil.

#3 Pond's Cold Cream

 If you are buying expensive cleansers, you're kinda crazy.

Sometimes you have to give Grandma credit for her soft skin back in the day.

My absolute FAVORITE cleanser is Pond's Cold Cream.

Again, I'm SOOOOOO SERIOUS!

Makeup...........

For simplicities sake, I am sharing my number #1 favorite drugstore line.

After that, I'll show you a few favorites from other lines.

But for me, the winner in the all-around make-up line,

the one that makes you say your friends are crazy for buying expensive stuff is.............

NYX.  (NEVER to be confused with NYC makeup)

I was a bit of a M.A.C junkie..........and I still could be.

(more about that later:)

But this is a copycat line that is significantly cheaper!

My advice is to go to Ulta for your NYX.  

They carry a HUGE selection and drugstores are only just adding in bits and pieces.

In the above photo, you will see the items I use.  

Shades are individual but I can say I like the brown, purple and black eyeliner,

 mascara in jet black, blush in desert rose

 and the lipstick is awesome in Audrey, Tea Rose or Natural!

Honorable mention goes to:

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer, 

which I also use with the desert rose blush.

Since my eyelashes seem to have disappeared, 

I use a primer before my mascara.

My fav is M.A.C Prep + Prime.

Lip Pencils........

You're gonna love these, cause they are awesome and even CHEAPER than NYX,

 which are pretty cheap:)

ESSENCE Lip Pencils (at Ulta) are $1.49!!!!!

And their lipstick is pretty great too...I like Natural Beauty.

Okay, I think that covers makeup:)

Moving on to HAIR.........

Mine is short these days.  (Very short!) 

So I wear it piecey and I like it soft and shiny.

So.........Garnier Fructis is my choice, partly because of the AMAZING scents;)

I love Pixie Play for the tousled/messy look:)

And next to Coconut Oil, I am in LOVE with shine serums.  I use this one,

 but most work great.

And not just for hair.........they are AWESOME for dry skin too, everywhere:)

Okay BEAUTIES, I'm done.

Rambled enough.

Showed you how cheap I am:)

Shared my confessions with you.

Hope you enjoyed this and found something you want to try also!

Suzanne

Wait.........I forgot to show you what I'm excited to see.

M.A.C Cosmetics CINDERELLA line, coming out this week.

So pretty............

Aaahhhh...stay tuned.  I'll be sure to let you know if I try it;)

Michael Kors is Pretty in Pink, Tan and White, just in time for Valentine's Day...and SPRING!

Can you believe it's already Valentine's Day?
Me either!!!
Today, I thought I'd share my favorite picks for a truly
SWEET Treat........for yourself or for your Valentine to give you,
straight from Michael Kors.
(HINT: just send him this blog post and direct him to the
nearest MK lifestyle store;)

Michael Kors Pretty in Pink

I suppose I should say that my daughter works for
 Michael Kors in Naples, Fl.
In fact, she just got a promotion!!!!
Happy, Happy, HAPPY!
She even had a few other offers at the time but when
she got the offer from MK, that sealed it.
She loves working there and she loves the product. (Me too:)

Actually, I liked MK well before she started working there.

She just helps feed my habit;)

Funny thing is, I'm not a "designer" person.

I will shop at MK and then stop at a thrift shop on the way home.

Walmart carries my favorite leggings.

I really like the sundresses at the beach store.

And I'm a regular at Target.
See.....I spread the love and help out a variety of stores!

But I do LOVE Michael Kors.

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, (YIKES..........need cards!)

I thought I'd share my favorite goodies from the new line.

According to Taylorina, they are flying out of the store so act fast.

And if you're near Naples Waterside Shops, 

pop in and see Taylor.

Check out this GORGEOUS line of "Pink".
Complimented by the camel color, it's so fresh!

Are you a fan of Rose Gold?

It's my absolute favorite.

Well before I knew about MK, just sayin:)

In fact, back in the day, I had a ROSE GOLD fingernail on my pinky.

For real.

No kidding.

(although maybe I wish I were;)

And nobody does it better.....see for yourself..........

I just feel that unless you have the skin that is made for silver,

rose gold is such a warm, attractive metal.

Maybe now I should mention two of the things I love about the MK line.

1.  Michael uses a lot of Rose Gold, which I love. (as we already know, right:)

2.  He believes in mixing metal.  Layer it on.  

You don't have to have ALL silver or all gold or rose gold. 

 Thank you!  (This is especially great for us indecisive types:)

Fun fact...........Michael Kors calls his camel color "luggage". 

 It's a best seller, goes with everything and is his own personal favorite color.

And if you don't have anything in that shade, get it:)

And with spring coming, mix it with WHITE!

I also included my first ever, favorite grown up perfume.........

Michael Kors Signature.

It has scents of gardenia, vanilla and more but he had me at gardenia.

Seriously, I wore my daughters perfumes...sweet, surfer girl perfumes:)

Now we all love this.

It's pretty and light enough for life in Florida.......or wherever.

Well, see anything you like?

I know you did;)

Like I said, find a store or shop online at Michael Kors.

If not, I have one more tip!

Someone sent us Shari's Berries for Christmas.

I'd seen and heard the ads but thought.........ewww!

They''ll be rotten before they get to Florida.

Was I WRONG!

We fought over these berries and devoured them in record time.

And these are some seriously big berries!

I just sent some to my Mom for hearts day and her reaction was the same as mine.

Oh My Heck these are good!!! :)

They ship quick so if you need em, there's still time.

Although shipping may be $$$ at this point.)

But keep Shari's Berries in mind!

See ya!

Suzanne

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

Pretty (if i say so myself:) Burlap Bag AND Slow Cooker Oatmeal

well hello there!

today i am joining in on Katherine's 

Favorite Things Thursday. . . . .

and i'm gonna show you one of my favorite things, 

as well as a recipe i've been trying

to make forever!!!

first up, the bag.

i found this burlap bag with a flower on the front

for my friend who owns the shop here in Naples where we sell

our Beach Gypsy stuff.

i think it was literally the last Christmas gift i bought,

and i found it at another friend's shop downtown

 a few nights before Christmas.

i wish i could find more,

cause i would make them for everyone i know:)

like it?

i didn't do much, but i think it's pretty cute.

it was already pretty, but i added pieces of cut-up doilies,

as well as pearls and crystals.

oh, and i used fabric no sew glue.

EASY!!!

  

okay, it seems as if i have been trying to find a recipe for

slow cooker overnight oatmeal forever!

seriously, we try various recipes,

 and it either turns out like gross looking runny mush,

or it's burnt and stuck to the slow cooker soooooo badly,

i want to throw the whole thing away.

that's how it is.

but on Pinterest, i found one and we decided to give it a try.

mainly because Jenn from Frugal Upstate Living knew what i was going through. . . . .

and because she tried it various ways with a number of testers, like in a test kitchen.

She posts the recipes for each way but i chose the one she made first. . . . .

variation #1.

now, it would have helped if we remembered to turn the crock pot on

before going to bed.
duh. . . . . . 

oh yes. . . . . . we are THAT flaky! haha

but when we eventually did make it, it was amazing!
here is the recipe, or you can visit Jenn to see more. . . . .
and p.s.; we added chopped apples and they were SUPER!!!

Overnight Crockpot Oatmeal

1 cup steel cut or regular oats (NOT Quick Oats!)

4 cups water

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup brown sugar

1  TBS butter

1/2  tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp cinnamon

Combine all in crockpot and cook on low for 8hrs.  Serve with milk & cinnamon sugar.

Variations:

Add up to 1 C raisins/dried fruit before cooking.

Add 1 chopped fresh apple before cooking.

Top with fresh fruit (in season) or canned fruit (drained).

Add a pat of butter or a dollop of jam/preserves.

Drizzle with honey.

talk about a yummy breakfast!

next time i'll make more, for sure:)

joining in with this fun blog hop.

and just a question for others out there. . . .
i would LOVE to join more during the week,
but forget or don't know of them.
any tips for keeping things straight,
or do you have any favorites I should check out?
please help this terribly disorganized aka flaky person out:)
xoxo
Suzanne 

have a very, merry, BURLAP Christmas.......

so y'all probably know by now i am totally

hooked on burlap these days!

(part of my rustic chic mood:)

and if you read this blog last December,

you know i have a huge WHITE Christmas tree

that i adore!

but i've never had a tree skirt that made me happy:(

until yesterday.

good ol' Homegoods.........

for the bargain price of $20 i found a burlap and cream/white tree skirt

with embroidered flowers on it!

YAY!!!!!!!

i know i recently did a blog post about burlap,

but here are some ideas for a burlap Christmas.........

isn't this just soooo PRETTY?

 i think burlap wreaths are so unique and unexpected.....

same with burlap stockings......

burlap pillows are great too.....

this one has snowflakes on it and is GORGEOUS,,,,,

but i bet a cheap, easy way to jazz up a burlap pillow is with a lace doilie.....

even if you have to glue it, like me:)

these basic trees are just wrapped around styrofoam cones and glued.  

simple and rustic as is, or embellish to your hearts content:)

LOVE these burlap bags.

i saw some at oriental trading for CHEAP and just stencil on a tree!

 last but not least, some burlap bows would be an AWESOME, super simple way to 

make your Christmas decor a bit rustic chic...like me:)

(well, not that i'm rustic chic but i'm decorating a bit rustic chic.  hahaha)

 adios for now, my friends!

enjoy the season!!!

yep, that's me:)

Suzanne

Oranges.......

so i'm kinda hung up on all shades of orange this year.

and to take it a step further........

foods that are orange!

i've always said one of my favorite scents is that

of orange blossoms.

when I came to Florida as a kid,

i LOVED the scent of orange blossoms.

so much that when it came time for a souvenir,

i would choose orange blossom perfume 

in a little orange container

 and

orange gumballs packaged to look like a 

bag of oranges:)

and i THINK i used to eat these orange candies.

YIKES........not sure i could now:)

and my all time, all time, 

ALL TIME favorite cake was ORANGE cake!

my poor family.........

every single birthday was a big orange cake, complete with fluffy frosting

that i colored from time to time.

(one year it was light blue:)

if you haven't tried it,

do it!!!!!!

you'll LOVE it!

my favorite ice cream bar was a creamsicle.

that orange coating and creamy vanilla inside.........

summer on a stick if you ask me:)

here is a cake recipe using my favorite orange cake mix.......

ORANGE CREAMSICLE CAKE

Cake:

• 1 (18 1/4 ounce) box Duncan Hines Orange Supreme cake mix
• 1 (3 1/2 ounce) box instant vanilla OR cheesecake pudding mix
• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup oil
• 1 cup water
• 1 (3 ounce) box orange Jell-O
• 1 cup boiling water

Frosting:

• 1 (3 1/2 ounce) box instant vanilla pudding
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon orange extract
• 1 (8 ounce) container thawed Cool Whip

1. Blend cake mix, instant pudding mix, eggs, water and oil and beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour batter into prepared pans and bake, following the chart located on the back of the Duncan Hines cake mix box. Cake is done when a toothpick insterted in center comes out clean.
2. While the cake is still hot, mix together orange Jell-O and one cup boiling water. When Jell-O is dissolved, poke holes in the cake with a straw or fork and pour hot Jell-O over cake. Let cake cool completely before frosting.

3. Frosting:

1. In a large bowl or mixer, beat instant vanilla pudding with 1 cup milk. Stir in the extracts. When the mixture becomes very thick, fold in the thawed Cool Whip. Spread frosting between layers and on top of cake. Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.

Yum, Yum, YUM!!!!!!!

and remember those places in the mall that sold

Orange Julius drinks?

those were AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!

and here is a little drink recipe to remind you of the 

good ol' days.

ORANGE CREAMSICLE DRINKS

Directions

 mix together in a blender:

8 oz diet orange soda
2 tbsp heavy whipping cream
ice cubes to thicken

Blend together, serve, enjoy. Frozen yummy treat, tastes like an orange creamsicle ice cream treat!!

If you want top with whipped cream, add more or less heavy cream to desired creaminess. 

now, don't you just love a good fruit dip?
well, thanks to Madiganmade,
here is her mom's
DREAMY ORANGE SUMMER FRUIT DIP
1 8 oz container whipped topping1 small package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 6 oz container of frozen (concentrated) orange juice 
(may use unfrozen if preferred)

and finally,
my love of oranges ends with this useful tip.....

i can't actually verify this because,
wellllll......
i'd have to work out first, now wouldn't I? :)


have a good one.......
hugs, Suzanne

stuff i love.....pastels, whites, tangerine and lace

stuff i love......

have you figured out that i love A LOT of STUFF?

at least that's what my husband says when i tell him i just

fell in love with something.....

and had to have it! :)

but today, i thought i'd show you some styles i love for

SPRING/SUMMER 2012 styles.

bet you didn't know i'm a fashion stylist!
well......that's because i',m not.
not even close:)

BUT......i know what i love,

what i think is pretty and worth having.

even if just one tiny piece or a touch of it,

such as a touch of lace, you know?

now, if you should run into me on the street,
you will NOT mistake me for a fashionista

NO.....far from it.

i'll still be wearing my old favorites.....

flip flops, jeans and tank tops.....

but let's face it,
sometimes a little something new and pretty is just what we all need.
now,  let's get started.
for what it's worth, here are the TOP picks from the
SHABBY CHICKS!

1.  TANGERINE, coral, mango, orange, apricot, peach

(style board #1 Tangerine)

isn't it pretty?

so FRESH, springy, and FLATTERING!

i have a few things in this shade and just bought a skirt and top

that i dressed up a bit and wore to a casual business dinner

with my CONSERATIVE, Brooks Brothers husband.

even HE loved the bright color.

now if you knew my navy and khaki guy,

you would RUN right out to buy yourself something orange!:)

(by the way, if you click the link,

it leads to my polyvore board where you can find out the price

 and where to shop for each item.)

now here are a few dresses in coral...how pretty are they!

2.  lace, lace, LACE!

i think we've all been a little in love with lace

since the royal wedding last May.

thank you to Princess Kate for bringing back something so delicate

and GIRLY!

denim and lace style board

i love all this lace.
lace tops, dresses, shorts, bags.....

and i LOVE lace with denim.
what can i say???

i'm sure Clinton from

What Not To Wear would say i need a MAJOR makeover

but i believe we 

wear what we like, not what they TELL us to like,
don't you?:)

3.   cool mint, baby pink, yummy peach, soft lavender, sky blue.....

PASTELS!

yep, pastels are BIG this year and i'm SO happy!!!

i know many women think they can't wear pastels,

maybe they're too babyish, too dated, unsophisticated.

hmmm....well, for what it's worth,
 i think

pastels look good on anyone.....
soft sherbet colors.
so feminine!
 and do we really 

need to look like some power exec all the time?

at the very least, buy a pretty top for summer nights.

for me.

please:)

check these out.....

just look at those pastel jeans and shorts, watches, flip flops.....

even the nail polish is pretty and pastel.

pastel style board 

GOSH......

almost good enough to eat!

like these.....

never say you can't wear pastels.....
i mean, just try telling these lovely ladies they
don't look good.

they are STYLIN!! (heehee)
i say go for it!

finally........

4.  white on white

oh yeah, dig out all your whites, creams, beige, even tans.....

because white, and even whites on white are BIG this year.

what else says summer than a white sundress?

and this is a perfect way to sneak in a bit of lace.

WHOA......we're on a roll now!

hahahaha

take a look......

white on white style board

there you have it...for what it's worth.....probably not a whole lot but.....
my picks for spring 2012.
1. Tangerine
2.  Lace
3.  Pastels
4.  white on white
gosh.....this is kinda cool.
hope YOU liked it!

Happy Friday.....
and thank you for letting me have my little fashion fun!


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