17 Dec 2011 Jesus Time

Word

Passage from the Bible:
John 1:1-5 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

Passage in my own words:
The Word existed from the very beginning and was with God and was God. Everything was made through the Word and God.  Any thing that was made was not created without him.  There was life and light in God and the Word.  That light presently shines so brightly that it wins out over darkness.

How I will obey this:
Acknowledge God as creator, the source of life and light.

What I learned about God that I can share:
It seems like God has several "parts" in him, or several attributes. He is creator, he is the Word, he is light and life itself. He must be very powerful to have created all things. He seems to be very ultimate, so to speak. Nothing exists without him. His light is so bright that darkness cannot be stronger.

Reflection

How I am doing today:
Okay.  I'm trying to prepare for once again following God in the calling he's given us.  I guess this points out the obvious: I feel as though I've been unfaithful in it, or at least somewhat distracted.

What recent things drew me closer to God:
A recent body of believers committed to partnering with us in multiple ways: financial, prayer, community, etc.

What recent things pushed me further from God:
Recovery from childbirth took its toll over the last month-ish.  With all the emotions it was at times hard to be sure what God was saying.

What I am learning:
God is faithful.  God loves me.

Prayer

What I hear God saying:
"You need my light in your life.  If you have it, the darkness can't win."

EOTD/FOTD - 17 December 2011

Eyes: 

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Tarte TEN Eyeshadow Palette:

shimmery violet, lid

matte black, outer corner, crease

e.l.f. eyeshadow in sand dollar, highlight

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Pencil in Delinquent, liner

Revitalash Mascara

 Face:

Laura Geller Spackle Primer, bronze

Neutrogena Healthy Skin, ivory

Laura Geller Balance-n-Brighten, medium

Tarte Bronzer, park ave princess

e.l.f. All Over Color Sticks:

pink lemonade, blush

spotlight, highlight
Lips:
Revlon Lip Butter, creme brulee
Stila Lip Glaze, kitten

Stocking Stuffers for Her!

Here's my stocking stuffers for the ladies in my life:

Now, I totally believe in giving credit where credit is due.  I have emilynoel83 on YouTube to thank for this idea.  You can watch her video below (this idea is at 3:15) and see all the fantastic stocking stuffers she came up with!

So these are simply some ELF makeup items that I stacked together. Honestly I think Emily's look better than mine, and part of that is because instead of buying the eyeliner, which would have been the smallest box on the top of the stack, I bought an eyeshadow. I figured that the people I was buying for would use eyeshadow more than eyeliner. BUT I didn't consider that my hasty decision meant that the middle and top boxes would be the same size. To make it less obvious, I actually made my first stack with the boxes turned and twisted a little. I like the effect.

These were inexpensive and simple to make.  I used a little sticky puddy to hold the products to one another while I tied some holiday ribbon around them.  I'm pretty excited, and I hope the recipients enjoy the makeup as much as I enjoyed the process!

What are your stocking stuffer or DIY projects this holiday season?  Share them with me!

EOTD - 16 December 2011

My first EOTD ever!

Buxom's Waterproof Stay-There Eyeshadows:

Sheepdog - highlight, inner corner

Whippet - inner half of the lid 

Mutt - outer half of the lid, crease

Pug - outer corner

Tarte SmolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Eyeliner in Smoke

Revitalash Mascara

Meg's Makeup

So, now that I'm not a Birchboxer anymore, I've become even more of a sold-out Meg's Makeup fan.  It's a totally different program, but I've enjoyed being a part of it.

Here's how it works:

Meg's Makeup is basically a blog. As you comment and rate blog posts, you gain points. As you gain points, you can turn them in for rewards up to once each month. At 50 points, 150 points, or 250 points, you can request to redeem your points. You pay a fee for shipping and handling, and Meg sends you several brand new full-size products to try! You can go months between packages if you like, or you can religiously redeem points every single month.

In the past I've enjoyed receiving full-size products such as those listed below:

From Tarte:
Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Illuminating Serum
Amazonian Clay Long-Wear Blush in Blissful
Amazonian Clay Long-Wear Blush in Natural Beauty
Amazonian Clay Shimmering Powder in Champagne
Amazonian Clay Shimmering Powder in Rose
Lipsurgence Natural Lip Stain in Enchanted
SmolderEYES pencil in Charcoal

From Too Faced:
Matte Eyeshadow Collection

From Urban Decay:
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil Stash
Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20 in Bodyguard
Eyeshadow in Stalker

From Nailtini:
Mini Bar Collection of four nail polishes
Club Soda Fizz Nail Whitening Soak

From Revitalash:
Mascara

From Napoleon Perdis:
Luminous Lip Veil in Sugar Plum
Eye Pencil in Gold Standard

Here was my most recent Meg's reward:

Napoleon Perdis Luminous Lip Veil in Opal ($20)

Tarte Amazonian Clay Long-Wear Blush in Flush ($25)

Tarte Lipsurgence Natural Lip Stain in Amused ($24)

Tarte emphasEyes pencil in Navy ($25)

The total retail value of this reward was $94, and I paid $12 for shipping and handling. Now, that's a sweet deal! If you want to join Meg's Makeup, click the pink boxy button in the upper righthand corner of my blog! I get ten points if you accept an invitation from me!

Are any of you Meg Heads?  Do you love getting free stuff as much as I do?

Items I'm Swapping/Selling

We’re moving on the 20th, and again within the year.  Trying to shrink my stash!

$5 shipping, or free shipping if you buy $15 or more

US only unless we make special arrangements

$3 each:

Elf Studio Beauty School 32-Piece Eyeshadow Palette Vol. 2 Bright

Burt’s Bees Radiance Lip Shimmer, BN, sealed

Burt’s Bees Thoroughly Therapeutic Honey & Grapeseed Oil Hand Creme, gently used, 2.6 oz

Laura Geller 2-sided Eyeshadow Brush/Sponge Applicator, came in a kit, BN

EDM Like Lady Bird Lake, BN, sealed, 1.7g (MINI size)

$6 each:

Tarte SmolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner in Violet, swatched

Tarte SmolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner in Black, used 1-2 times

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Shadow Pencil in Delinquent, BN

1 for $15, 2 for $25, or 3 for $30:

Jouer Highlighter in Champagne, swatched

Jouer Creme Shadow in Cashmere, swatched

Jouer Eye Definer in Gris, swatched

Napoleon Perdis Eye Pencil in Gold Standard, swatched

********ALL ITEMS BELOW ARE FREE********

*if you pay $5 shipping or if you purchase any item(s) from the list above!*

(If you want more items than fit in a Birchbox-sized box, 

you may have to pay a little more than $5 for shipping.)

Hair Freebies:

John Frieda Full Repair Full Body Shampoo and Conditioner, .28 fl oz each

TRESemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner, .33 fl oz each

Garnier Fructis Fortifying Shampoo and Conditioner, .34 fl oz each

Bamboo Shine Luminous Shine Shampoo and Conditioner, .25 fl oz each

Fragrance Freebies: (all tested only once)

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau De Toilette .05 fl oz

Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy .05 fl oz

Marc Jacobs DAISY .04 fl oz

DKNY Golden Delicious .05 fl oz

Dolce & Gabbana The One .06 fl oz

Makeup Freebies:

Urban Decay Tinted Moisturizer in Halo, Bodyguard, and Bulletproof samples

EDM Matte Base Samples in Toffee, Sandy Medium, Buttered Tan, Olive Medium, and Tan .005 oz each

Ulta Lip Color in Glamour Goddess, gently used

Mineralogics Lip Color in Pecan/Berry, gently used

TheBalm Stainiac in Beauty Queen, .024 fl oz

Clinique All About Eyes Concealer in 02 light golden, .33 fl oz, gently used

SN Mousse, gently used, 50%+ remains

SN Prowl GWP, gently used, 50%+ remains

EDM Autumn Afternoon, gently used, 50%+ remains

Per-fekt Brow Perfection Gel in Caramel, .01 fl oz, BN, opened and looked at it

GOSH Velvet Touch Eyeliner in 004 Green Boost, gently used

GOSH Waterproof Eyeshadow in Love That Dolphin!, Love That Pink!, and Love That Platinum!, gently used

Elf Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 in Porcelain, 50%+ remains, .88 fl oz

Maybelline Eyeshadow Trio in Berriful

NYX Eyeshadow Trio in Guru

Eyeko Line and Shine Duo Color Pencil for Eyes in “For Popstar Eyes”

Elf Essential Bronzer in Luminance (more of a highlight really)

Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Blush in Natural

Skincare Freebies:

L’Oreal Paris Skin Expertise Day/Night Cream Youth Code, .03 fl oz

Earthen InstantPeel, 1 single-use packet

Murad Correcting Moisturizer SPF 15, .03 fl oz

Blistex Complete Moisturizer Lip Protectant/Sunscreen, BN

Miscellaneous Freebies:

Etude House Nail Art silver/iridescent nail decals, BN

Jumbo Pencil Sharpener, came with Tarte SmolderEYES pencils

Elf Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths, 20-pack, 15 remain, still very moist

Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens, BN, 25 sheets

Final Collection Update -- Day 30

Here's the final collection update.

Numbers indicate on which day of the 30-day challenge I used the item.  (October 1 = Day 1; October 2 = Day 2; etc.) Once I use something three times, I'm going to label it a "keeper" meaning I no longer will keep track of what days I use it on.  I can still decide to toss it though if another product beats it out!

Foundations:
Elf Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 in Porcelain 1, 2, 4 "Keeper!"
Everyday Minerals Base in Ivory 3, 5, 7 "Keeper!"
Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Illuminating Serum 3, 5, 7 "Keeper!"
Laura Geller Spackle Tinted Under Makeup Primer in Bronze 20, 21, 22 "Keeper!"

Concealers:
Elf Studio Under Eye Concealer & Highlighter in Light/Glow 1, 2, 4 "Keeper!"
Elf Tone Correcting Powder 2, 4, 6 "Keeper!"
Everyday Minerals Aussie Perk Me Up Concealer 3, 5, 7 "Keeper!"
Clinique All About Eyes Concealer in Light Golden 8, 9, 14 "Keeper!"

Eye Primer:
Elf Eyelid Primer in Nude 3, 7, 12 "Keeper!"
Elf Eyelid Primer in Pearl 4, 5, 8 "Keeper!"

Eye Shadow:
Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in Birthday Suit 19, 23, 30 "Keeper!"
Benefit Silky Color Eyeshadow in Guess Again 20
Elf Studio Beauty School 32-Piece Eyeshadow Palette Vol. 2 Bright 10, 16, 18 "Keeper!"
Elf Studio Eyeshadow Single in Oatmeal 5, 16, 23 "Keeper!"
Elf Studio Eyeshadow Single in Sand Dollar 8, 15, 20 "Keeper!"
Eyeko Line and Shine Duo Colour Pencil For Eyes in Popstar 17, 24
Gosh Mono Eyeshadow in Golden Green 16, 28
Gosh Mono Eyeshadow in Metallic Grey 22, 29
Gosh Waterproof Eyeshadow in Love That Dolphin! 21
Gosh Waterproof Eyeshadow in Love That Pink! 18, 25
Gosh Waterproof Eyeshadow in Love That Platinum! 15, 29
Mac Wisteria Eyeshadow 21, 29
Milani Marbleized Baked Eyeshadow in Mix It Up 15, 28, 29
Milani Runway Eyes Fashion Shadows in Glamorous Gems 14, 21
NYX Trio in Guru 5, 9, 20 "Keeper!"
Sephora Colorful Mono in Chrome No 05 22
Tarte TEN Eyeshadow Palette 4, 7, 24 "Keeper!"
Too Faced Matte Eyeshadow Collection 3, 17, 27 "Keeper!"
Too Faced The New Romantic Makeup Collection Palette 8, 18, 25 "Keeper!"
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil in Clash 9
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil in Delinquent 6, 19

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil in Juju 6, 12, 26 "Keeper!"
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil in Morphine 22

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil in Rehab 11, 26

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil in Sin 1, 2, 11 "Keeper!"
Urban Decay Midnight Cowboy Rides Again 9, 11, 25 "Keeper!"
Vincent Longo Trio in Premiere Dream 6, 13

Eyeliner:
Elf Liquid Eyeliner in Black 1
Elf Liquid Eyeliner in Cobalt Blue 9

Elf Liquid Eyeliner in Coffee 8

Elf Liquid Eyeliner in Forest Green 2, 14, 30 "Keeper!"

Elf Liquid Eyeliner in Midnight 4, 17, 22 "Keeper!"

Elf Liquid Eyeliner in Plum 3, 13

Elf Liquid Eyeliner in Stardust 6, 12

Elf Liquid Eyeliner in Teal 5
Gosh Velvet Touch Eyeliner in Green Boost 21
It Cosmetics H2O Eyes Waterproof Eye Pencil in Brown 18
Maybelline Master Drama by Eyestudio in Midnight Master 15, 23, 28 "Keeper!"
Milani Color Brilliance Eye Pencil in 02 Aqua 11
Shiseido Automatic Fine Eyeliner in Brown 20, 27
Shiseido Eyeliner Pencil in Black 21, 29
Tarte SmolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Eyeliner in Smoke 7, 10, 16 "Keeper!"

Blushes:
Clinique Fresh Bloom Allover Colour in Plum Poppy 19, 20, 27 "Keeper!"
Elf Studio Blush in Pink Passion 7, 11, 18 "Keeper!"
Jouer Powder Blush in Peach Bouquet 3, 10, 23 "Keeper!"
Laura Geller Blush & Brighten in Apricot Berry 1, 8, 12 "Keeper!"
Milani Minerals Blush in Luminous 5, 13, 24 "Keeper!"
Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow and Mood Boosting Blush in Natural 14, 21, 25 "Keeper!"
Tarte Amazonian Clay Long-Wear Blush in Blissful 6, 17, 28 "Keeper!"

Bronzers:
Elf Essential Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder 7, 11, 13 "Keeper!"
Elf Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder 2, 4, 7 "Keeper!"
NEW! (25 Oct.) Laura Geller Bronze & Brighten in Medium 25, 26, 28 "Keeper!"

Highlighters:
Elf Studio Blush in Gotta Glow 2, 5, 8 "Keeper!"
Tarte Amazonian Clay Shimmering Powder in Champagne 4, 10, 12 "Keeper!"
Tarte Amazonian Clay Shimmering Powder in Rose 3, 6, 9 "Keeper!"

Lip Gloss:
Bobbi Brown Lipgloss in Buff 19, 20, 23 "Keeper!"
Burt's Bees Super Shiny Natural Lip Gloss in Sweet Pink 6, 16, 17 "Keeper!"
Elf Glow Pout Perfecter 2, 7, 12 "Keeper!"
Elf Mineral Lip Gloss in Pageant Princess 1, 10. 14 "Keeper!"
Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss in Mirage 2, 5, 8 "Keeper!"