Thursday, December 31, 2009

A clean slate

Well here we are at last.  The last day of an old year looking ahead to a year with a clean slate.  I used to make resolutions.  But they are to easy to break.  Now I just set a goal.  Similar but different.  With a resolution, you give yourself permission to fail, and with a goal, you give yourself something to achieve.  I jumped off the weight loss band wagon a long time ago.  So, that would make a lousy goal.  One year I set the goal to become more organized, one area of life at a time.  I actually hit that goal.  From my purse to my closet and hidden recesses in my home I decluttered. Now that change has become a habit.  Last year my goal was to do a blog and here I am.

It's easier to set a goal that is interesting to you.  Then at least you stand a chance of accomplishing it.  For instance.  Have you been wanting to take a trip somewhere?  Start saving.  Have you been wanting to try something new with you style, check out magazines and other media.  See what style sparks your interests and start keeping a folder on what you like.  Take it with you when you go shopping or to get your hair done.  This will help you to get another step towards who you want to be in 2010.  If there is something you have wanted to try or somewhere you have wanted to go but haven't write it down and make a date with yourself to do it.  Do you want to eat sushi, take painting classes, have curly hair, get a puppy or kitten?  Whatever you dream of in the year ahead, just think of it in baby steps and make a promise to yourself to make it happen.  Unless it costs millions and you don't have that laying around, you should be able to hit any goal.  Check your resolutions at the door and leave them there.

In this commercial driven time of year.  When most of what is advertised is diet companies, weight loss pills, fitness equipment that promises to turn you into Cinderella or Barbie.  It can be very hard not to feel a bit down on ourselves.  These are things you would normally make a resolution over.  You know, to join Jenny Craig, or buy a thigh master. LOL.  But that's be silly.  Your not silly.  So, instead of doing that, just tell yourself you will park a bit further from the door when you shop.  You'll add more veggies with your meal when you eat, or drink more water.  Do what is manageable.  As you strive for a more beautiful life, Tell that wicked voice inside saying all the  negative stuff that you are cutting yourself some slack.  Tell it to back off and then think of the things that you are doing right.  You are wonderfully and beautifully made to be who you are, and you are working hard on being the best you.  That is all one can do.  Remember, Everyone is already beautiful.  This other stuff is external and just adds garnish to what you already have.


My goal for this year, is to be more others centered.  One step at a time.  I will start by asking if anyone wants anything from the kitchen when I get up for a glass of water now.  Then I will go from there.  A little at a time, thinking of others as I go.


Happy new year to you all,
Leslie

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

I want to tell you about the Tube

In a previous post I mentioned the product called the tube. A tube filled with trial sizes and full sized products for you try. This cost about $35.00 plus $8.00 shipping and handling. They send you the tube every three months, but you can cancel anytime hassle free. I spoke with customer service and they were so super helpful. It was a pleasure to talk to them. The products seem to value close to the amount you spent, or more when you add the fact you also get a $20.00 spa gift card. Well, that is a mighty big cherry on top. I received mine at the end of one quarter and shortly after got another for this quarter. I am glad I did. The first tube blew my socks off with the amount of products and what the products were. The second tube had me excited for the little bottle of Victor and Rolf flower bomb. This tube was a bit of a dental hygiene themed tube, with some skin care and sun protection products in their as well as lipstick and eyeshadow. Mostly companies that are well known. A few I have never heard of. That doesn't mean they aren't well know, just that I haven't heard of them. I'll keep you posted as I go through these products to let you know what my thoughts are on them.

Leslie

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Deals after Christmas

This is an amazing time of year.  No matter where you find yourself in the world.  If you love cosmetics, and I know you do, everybody is trying to get you to buy.  But if you just wait a few days, all the pretty little prizes you want so bad now will truly be treasures.  They will no longer be of value to the stores in their Christmas packaging and, box sets for the season.  They will want to unload them to get prepared for what is to come.  Run don't walk to your local Sephora, Ulta, Mac or Makeup forever. For basics hit your local Walmart or Target.  Places like Marshalls, Tj Maxx, and Ross often carry last seasons name brand cosmetics for less.  Or better yet go online midnight Christmas night.  Maybe even earlier.  Once Christmas is over.  To the retailer.  It is over.You can snag the best deals of the year on Christmas night and the day after.  Order a certain amount online and get free shipping.  You can remove the Christmas paper and repackage theses products for gifts later in the year.  Unless it is totally Christmasified.  Most things aren't.  Anyway, You get the idea.  I plan on shopping online to avoid the shoppers. I'll let you know how that goes after the holiday is over.  Happy post Christmas shopping.

Leslie

Monday, December 21, 2009

Vevite trial

Here  I am.  Long overdue on  bringing you the results of the vivite trial.  As Promised.  I used the product 3 times a day for 7 days in a row.  Vivite Defining Lip Plumper is designed to make lips look fuller and softer. Helps stimulate collagen production and hyaluronic acid.  It Plumps, defines and exfoliates. 

After a week of using the vivite I found t to be an excellent defoliator.  It does immediately plump your lips for short term fullness.  My lips were certainly softer.  It didn't exactly do what I had thought as far as making my lips plump.  I had  hopes for a more long term effect from the product.  Don't get me wrong.  I didn't think it would be permanent.  I just had hoped that the fullness would last for more than a few minutes at a time.  On a scale of 1-10  this gets an overall rating of 7 from me. 

Be expecting a video from me a product I have just ordered called the tube.  You get the tube quarterly and it allows you to try full sized products for many different brands and products.  I will show you what I have gotten and we will see what the value is at the same time. 

see you soon,
Leslie

Friday, December 4, 2009

A few products that I am trying and one I would like to give a review on.

These are a few products that I am trying. One of these products was sent to me by a company asking me to try it and give an honest review. I want to let you know this up front. There has been some turbulence on the web lately about reviews and lies and such. I'm not seeking an acting, modeling or m.u.a career in runway or stage. It wouldn't benefit me in any way to give a good referral on a product that I think is garbage. In fact, It would be to my detriment. My Character is important to me. I am very selfish person in the fact that what other people think of me matters way too much. So, If I think it is a horrid product, it won't bug me to tell the faceless corporation thank you for letting me try it. But you need to work on it cause it has problems. If I like it you will know about it. I tend to dive in with both feet. If I love a product I want to buy it, share it with everyone and spread the "gospel of the new found product" with every ear that will hear. So, now you know. This new product is a lip plumper. You will see it in the video. I will be letting you see it for the next 7 days, and then let you decide if you think it worked and share my thoughts.

Leslie

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

The most wonderful time of the year.

This is the most wonderful time of the year. People are excited. They are still high on turkey. The retail therapy is kicking in, and every body floating on a cloud of plastic happiness. Ya just got to love credit cards. Right?

Today I went to my doctor for my final appointment. The update on the lumps and bumps I shared with you last time is that they are benign!!! Oh happy happy joy joy!!! This is one happy girl.

I am also having a bit of a Christmas high. On my way home I swung into a Nordstroms to pick up a few stocking stuffers. While there I had to pass the cosmetic counters. Oh man, you know how hard it can be to resist the pull of those counters? You just can't. My goodness, this was like makeup mecca.

First I had to pass through the mac cosmetics area. The sky opened up, the angels were singing. I kid you not. All true. So many pretty colors. I was mesmerized. Then I saw the Clinique counter and checked it out. Nothing new there. Off to the Este' Lauder Counter. They have so many beautiful things there, and the bonus gift this season is amazing. Actually all the counters and product lines have such great gifts and extras.


The best counter was the last one I went to. It was the Smashbox counter. This is one I hadn't experienced before. The talented m.u.a who worked with me, Sarah, was very knowledgeable about the line. She did a full face look on me.  I felt so pretty.

Sarah is a really talented artist.  I think her ability is more natural than learned.  She just sort of flows as she chats with you.  It is as though you are hanging out with a lifelong girl friend.  She makes you so comfortable.  She is just that good!

If you would like to duplicate the look she used:

Halo powder in Light                                      shadows-torch, sienna, flamingo, vanilla cream
Hd concealer in light                                       eyeliner- in caviar
cheek contour kit in glam box                         brow tech in taupe
artifical light in flash                                        lip liner in nude, lip stick in sweet gloss in candid

If you live in Dallas and would like to get a special make over, stop by the Nordstroms in the Frisco Stonebriar mall.  Ask for Sarah.  She will hook you up. 

If you don't live in Dallas, just hit the mall and go to the counters in any of your favorite anchor stores.  Look for the first smiling friendly face and try something new and fun.  Ask to learn something new for your eyes, or cheeks or lips.  The worst that can happen is you'll have a blast, learn something new, and meet a nice new person.

Merry Christmas.
Happy shopping.
Leslie