August Flew By

Life is crazy, August was not cool. I'm pretty sure we broke and/or tied heat records. 

My "I can give you 10-15hrs a week" job is more like 25-30+ and Hubby has switched to 2nd shift (instead of 3rd) so that's been crazy too.

I bought a car! Newer than I planned, but actually made more sense than something older financially.

We spent a rare Saturday off with my sister, niece, and nephew in Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, that was a lot of fun! It had been a few years since Hubby and I had been there.

That's really all that went on, crazy work schedules and crazy heat!

Have a great day!
~CraftinWife

Sorry!! Life Update.

Things have been crazy here since I finally started my new job. It's only part time, but the hours vary. It's also a bit annoying that the schedule that's posted (always late, generally Friday or Saturday when the new one starts on Sunday) is subject to changing without notice. Other than that the job is good, nothing to difficult, and the hours of operation are awesome for me/us.

In July we started off good with our walks, but between this heat and our work schedules we've missed a few at the end of the month. Still averaging about 2 a week though, and getting walks in elsewhere playing Pokemon (which I wasn't into at first, but figured if hubs was going to play I may as well play too, and it's actually pretty fun, despite the server issues).

At the beginning of the month we had our nephew for (as he called it) "Super Fun Day". We took him shopping, where he picked out a sprinkler, to DQ, and then back here where we played in the sprinkler and watched a movie.

4th of July we had a cookout at my sisters, and my nieces 6th B-Day party!

The 15th I had orientation, and later than night we went to Moonlight Swim. The 16th was a Pokemon event nearby that we attended even though it was crazy hot that day.

The week of the 18th our pup started having issues with eating and mobility, and she passed away on Saturday. 
That's also the week I started work, we did a little Pokemon-ing on Friday, and went to my Mom's with the family for the A/C and to hang out on that Saturday.

The 30th we went to another Pokemon event, and did a little much needed shopping (dehumidifier). After that we went to my mom's to help her hook up her surround sound, then to a friends house for a little while.

It doesn't seem like much typing it out, but it's been hot and I think that makes you feel more busy/tired.

It's finally been out of the 90s daily, hopefully we have a relatively cool August!

Have a great day!
~CraftinWife

Catch Up Blog On Friday! Giveaway Winner announced!!

:) I've been busy this week. (Started a new job.) I'll post a catch up tomorrow!

<3

K. M. you are the giveaway winner! I assume you are choosing a beauty grab bag?

Giveaway!!!!!

I just wanted to thank all of my readers/followers for sticking with me. 
The giveaway starts in a few minutes and will run until Monday. 

Good Luck!!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Have a great day!
~CraftinWife  

Recent Beauty Hauls

I have stuff to share!!

This all came from either Kmart (store closing sale), or Dollar Tree.

All the Wet 'n Wild (Fergie Collection) is from Dollar Tree:
(Links are to current Collection)

Velvet Matte Lip Color~ 
I really like this, all the colors I've tried so far work really well for me. The formula is nice and matte without being too drying. 
My sister was over and tried some of them out and had a much different experience, she found the colors plenty pigmented, but for her they felt super dry. (I should note that I would classify my natural lip as "normal" and hers a bit dry.)

On Edge Long wearing Eye Pencil~ 
These are super nice, and just glide on. They also stay put all day!

Take On The Day Shimmer Eye Shadow Primer~
This is no longer available, and I can understand why. It didn't seem to add any shimmer, or even be shimmery on it's own, and as a primer it was just okay. Worth the dollar, but not much more than that.


Kmart Haul:
Alice in Wonderland Cosmetics Case(s)~
(Link is to what's currently available at Kmart, Hot Topic still has some Alice bags)
Perfect for travel, or sleepovers.

Joe Boxer PJ'S and Sleep Shorts~
(Link is for current stock.)
:)

L'Oreal Colour Riche Luminous Lipstick Collection Exclusive (Reds)~
These have incredible staying power! The reds are beautify and easy to apply. They have the same baby powder smell as the nudes did, but I don't find that bothersome as it fades away fairly quickly. 

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick~
These are creamy, and comfortable while remaining matte. Probably my favorite out of the new lipsticks I've picked up, and they're only $2.49!


What new products have you tried??


Have a great day!
~CraftinWife

Catch Up Blog.. Number... Who's Counting??

I'm sorry!

Hubby was off for a week, due to company shut down over the 4th, and I just didn't blog that whole time.

June Life Update:

At the beginning of June  hubby was still on vacation, but we mainly just hung out at home.
That Thursday I cut he and Moms hair and we had dinner together.
We've been keeping up with our M,W,F walks!
Friday Chris and I went to the movies, and watched a movie downstairs that I fell asleep during.
The 4th (of June) Mom had a cookout, and Sunday Chris went back to work.
The 10th we went to the movies with a friend, and spent some time in Bristol. Later that evening we went to Moms and visited with my sister, her kids, and my cousin who was in town with her son. Saturday we went out to my sisters, spent more time with my cousin and family, saw my BIL's ducks and had a water balloon fight. 
On the 18th we went to Habitat Store, Ollie's, and Furniture shopping with my Mom. Sunday was my birthday and we had a picnic at Mom's with the family.
The 25th Chris, my sister, the kids, and I went to the pool for several hours and afterward Mom had another cookout.
The 27th the A/C quit working, but we finally got it fixed today (7/13).
The 28th I went through my makeup and reorganized, I didn't take pictures this time, but I have a new storage system if anyone is interested I can post a blog about it & my collection.
The 30th Hubby and I went to Bristol Kmart (it's closing), a few thrift shops, and used my Olive Garden gift card (from my birthday) for dinner.
We've had a busy summer so far, even though it doesn't seem like we've done much!


Hair Blog:
I haven't prepared anything (laziness and no a/c). Leave a comment below on what you'd like to see here!!


Planner Blog:
Thinking of dropping this, and doing a household item faves and fails in it's place. Thoughts?


MOTW (Everyone's favorite blog):

New Lipstick and eyeliner. Shopped My stash/forgot about this Blush/Highlight from Maybelline.

New Eye Shadow.

New Lippie!

New Lipstick, Fergie Collection (Wet 'n Wild) Eyeliner, and the Milani Eye shadow.

New Lip, eye primer, & eyeliner.

New lip.

All the new stuff is from the Kmart closing clearance, or Dollar Tree, I'll show it better in an upcoming Haul Blog.


What I'm working on (craft):
A few cards (some on IG, some I forgot to take a picture of). I'm also starting a blanket for a Christmas gift so I can't show it here in case she reads the blog (Mom).


Birchbox: 
I am no longer getting Birchbox for now, so I need a new blog topic!!! 



Have a great day!!
~CraftinWife

High End vs. Drug Store (MOTW)

I finally got around to the half face challenge!!

Drug Store:

Physicians Formula~
InstaReady Contour Stick
Eyeliner
BB Concealer
BB Cream

Ulta~
Highlight
Brow Tint
Blush
Mascara Primer

City Color Cosmetics~
Mascara

Milani~
Lip Gloss

L.A. Girl~
Neons Palette

I used the E.L.F. Mineral Powder all over since I don't have a high end powder.

High End:

Stila~
Bronzer/Contour
Mascara
Lipstick

Benefit~
Lash Primer
Highlight
Brow Gel

Well People~
Concealer

Coola~
Tinted Moisturizer

The Balm~
Frat Boy Blush

Marc Jacobs~
Eyeliner

Urban Decay~
Electric Palette 

(Yay! Links for days!)

Pics:

With Flash.

100% Natural Light

UD and L.A. Girl.

 Check-ins:

After dinner.

Goodnight!

Can you tell which side is which?

Left is high-end, right is drugstore!

I was surprised that they look pretty similar, other than the lip, and the eye (color)intensity. I know the colors don't go together, but so what? I wanted to show how the silver, dark pink, and a lighter shade compared performance wise. I think the Stila Lipstick would have stayed on longer, but the Milani was pretty much gone with dinner, so I wiped it off. Everything else I thought held up about the same.

What are your thoughts?

Have a great day!
~CraftinWife

Product Review/Comparison/Dupe for Urban Decay?? ( L.A. Girl Cosmetics Beauty Brick Eye Shadow Collection~ Neons)

I bought my L.A. Girl Cosmetics Neons Palette from a discount store (Hamrick's) for $5.00 last month. I wanted to see how comparable it was to Urban Decay Electric Palette($45-50) which I got from Sephora.

(The next blog will feature a high-end vs. drug store using both of these.)

As you can see in the above pictures the L.A. Girl palette has two more colors, a black and an off white color. I've used the white and it barely shows up, I don't use black eye shadow typically so I've yet to try this one out.

Packaging is cute on both, however L.A. Girls is cardboard and a thinner plastic, a small mirror, and useless brush, while the Urban Decay is hard plastic, a full mirror, and decent brush.

Shade for shade they did pretty well. I actually like the way the L.A. Girl silver preforms over the Urban Decay.The shade pigmentation is good on both, however the Urban Decay is definitely a bit bolder/brighter, and blends a little easier, but for $5 to $10 the L.A. Girl does shockingly well. 

No one needs both of these in their collection, since they are so similar. My recommendation would be for the person on a budget (or one who doesn't wear neons often) you can't go wrong with the L.A. Girl. If you are really into neons and have a bit more to spend the quality is better with the Urban Decay.


Have a great day!
~CraftinWife

Faves & Fails!

I didn't try out a whole lot of new products this month, but I have a few items to share!

I'm going to switch things up, I actually have no fails to share, so it's all FAVORITES:
(All the products have been pictured in previous MOTW blogs.)

1) Beauty Treats Highlight Palette~ I am in love with this, especially the white powder highlight. I like that half the palette is cream and the other is powders. It really makes it easy to use regardless of current face issues (dry patches, extra humid summer day, etc).

2) Physicians Formula Eye Brightener (Natural)~ This eye highlight also works as eye shadow and regular highlight. I got mine from Tuesday Morning. In the Beauty Hauls blog I couldn't find it on the website, but I've found it now and it's linked above!

3) Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon~ I didn't use this a whole lot simply because I want to finish up the PF Kohl Eyeliner first, but I really liked this! 

4) Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Creme Lipstick in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang~ This is a perfect pink shade for me, and the formula is awesome! Creamy without looking shiny or slick, and was long wearing for me as well.


What were your favorites this month?

Have a great day!
~CraftinWife

MOTW

This week was a fail.

My challenges were: 1) High/Drugstore same face. 2) Try something new. 3)  Swim proof look.

The only thing I did do is a swim proof look, since most days I didn't wear makeup, LOL.

So for next week I'll keep the same goals.
 

I'm still looking for more challenge ideas, so leave yours in the comments below! 


Have a great day!
~CraftinWife

No recent hauls..

But you can check out my Instagram for my B DAY goodies. (linked above)

Birchbox!

This will be my last Birchbox for a while. I subscribed for a full year and truly enjoyed it, but I've still got products I've yet to try and haven't used up many at all!

June's Box was especially late. ( That's one of my peeves, the longer I was a subbie, the longer the boxes took to get to me. I didn't move and live in the same state BB ships from.)

No pretty tissue in this box, towards the end they went back and forth with that as well.

The box was so late I've not tried anything in it yet:

I purposely didn't make a choice this month, but ended up with the Benefit Brow anyhow.
The box design is super cute!

Have a great day!
~CraftinWife

MOTW (past two weeks)

Hello all!!

MOTW!
Challenge for next week:
1) High/Drugstore same face.
2) Try something new.
3)  Swim proof look.

I'm still looking for more challenge ideas, so leave yours in the comments below!

Which look is your favorite?

Have a great day!
~CraftinWife

More Catch Up!

I really don't have anything to share in my What I'm working on~ Craft blog, just a few cards. 
I don't have any recent hauls, beauty or otherwise. We are pretty much on a spending freeze right now. 
No new planner stuff to share either, just my May pages if anyone is interest I can post pics, just leave a comment below.
Nothing in my current empties bin either!

I will do MOTW Wednesday, combining the past two weeks, still didn't get around to high end vs drug store,  simply because I want to do it half face and don't necessarily want to be going anywhere that day, the other days (when we didn't go out) I really didn't feel like wearing make up.

I'm sorry these blogs have been lacking here lately, I've just been kinda blue. Life, ya know?


Anyhow,
Have a great day!
~CraftinWife

Hair Questions Tag

1. Why did you start taking better care of your hair?
In cosmetology school (98), and again more recently, within the past year.

2. What are your 2 favorite hair products?

Conditioner, not brand loyal & Dry Shampoo, there are a few I like.

3. Who's hair did you admire as a child?
A cousin of mine. Her hair was always so thick and healthy.

4. What is your ultimate goal length?
Waist Length

5. How are you going to celebrate when you reach your ultimate goal length?

I won't.

6. Two styles you want to try at your goal length?
  A big fat fishtail braid, and ringlet curls!

7. Which do you prefer: Health or Length?

Definitely health, which is why in March I had about 7in cut off.

8. Which do you prefer: hair ties with no metal parts or butterfly clips?

I use hair ties  most of the time.

 

9. What products do you prefer: salon brands, organic brands, BSS brands, Drugstore brands, or other?

I don't think I can chose one. I have tried all types of different products and have liked a good amount of them.

10. Which product/technique do you think is over-rated?
Ombre, especially dark brown to platinum blonde. IMO it ain't pretty.

11. Which product/technique do you think is under-rated?

Air drying, it's way better for your hair.

12. What is your favorite part of your hair regimen?

Co-washing!

13. What is the most annoying part of your hair regimen?

Detangling

14. Oils or Butters?

Oils

15. Buns or Ponytails?

Both

 

16. Wigs or Weaves?

Neither

17. What is your opinion of growth aids?

They don't work.

18. At what length do you consider hair long?

A few inched past shoulders.

19. When is the last time you visited a salon?

March (2016)

20. What do you like to surf most often: YouTube channels, personal blogs, or hair forums? 
YouTube.

21. And finally, what piece of advice would you give to someone just starting out on their hair journey?
Try and keep your journey simple, remember that health is much better than length, and try and be patient.

 

After I got to around question 4 I remembered doing this tag not too long ago. So I'm also going to add a link to a blog about the questions your stylist should ask before cutting/styling your hair. 

http://www.modernsalon.com/training-and-career/pro-tips/10-consultation-questions-you-need-to-ask-every-client

Have a great day!

~CraftinWife

 

Catch Up Blog!

Hey readers! I just want to Thank You for sticking with me even when I'm inconsistent! 
Now into the blogs:

Product Review~
I have nothing prepared for this month. Next month is going to be a compare, possible dupe, and review on both. Hint: it's makeup!



MOTW~
I got through most of the challenges, but didn't get to the half drug store, half high end. I'll do that this week! I will also do another full face (not 10min or less) and I'll try something new.

This past weeks looks:

Life Update:
We've been pretty consistent with our M,W, F walks! 
They came 3 times in May and on the 18th finally finished the septic/sewer upgrade. 
We had Mother's Day at my mom's, she also hosted a cookout later in the month. 
We went to a community yard sale, but didn't find anything big, not that we need anything anyhow. We had to deal with carpenter bees, and then a pesky woodpecker, they all seem to be gone now thankfully because that wasn't fun.  We also had to have AT&T out here twice to fix internet issues, I wish we could get a different provider out here.
Later in the month I went to Dollywood with my sister and her kids, it was fun but I didn't expect it to be so busy on a Thursday, I think all the local schools must have had a field trip that day.
We went to a  Taste of ... in a nearby town, but weren't impressed and picked up a pizza on the way out of town and watched a movie at home.
Chris (hubby) had a infection and had to go to the dentist. He has an appointment late June for extractions.
My nephew had surgery (ear issues) the 25th, so I babysat my Mom's dogs the night before then hubby and I took everyone lunch following the surgery.
That was Chris' first day of vacation. Which we made a stay-cation this year. We went to several local parks, as well as Cumberland Gap National Park. We went to the movies a few times, as well as movies at home. We also had a cookout/game night Memorial Weekend which was a lot of fun!


Have a great day!
~CraftinWife

Faves & Fails

May Faves & Fails!

{All products mentioned and linked (when available) in previous blogs.}

I only have one fail this month, the Parlor (Birchbox) Sea Salt Texture Spray, it really did absolutely nothing.

Faves:
The Minnie Mouse Eye Shadow Palette from Sephora, I have noticed a couple shades have a bit of fall out, which doesn't bother me, no product is 100% perfect. This isn't really an issue, but personal pet peeve is that Daisy is my BFF should be one of the purple shades (Daisy is a purple lover after all) and the cream color could take one of the purple names. Other than that I love everything about this palette.

Klean Colors Corrector Palette is another hit. The creams are the perfect consistency for me, the green and yellow are my faves!

I am also loving the Urban Decay Electric Palette, which is new to me but has been around long enough I'm sure most everyone has seen it. It's not something everyone will love, but I'm having fun with it.

Physicians Formula Green Correcting Powder, this is another awesome corrector on days I don't want to wear much makeup, or "fuss" with cream products (a.k.a. Lazy Days).

What were your faves & fails this month??


Have a great day!
~CraftinWife

Recent Craft Hauls

This month I have a few thrift and yard sale finds, and a very small 20% off Tuesday Morning Haul:

Have a great day!
~CraftinWife

May Birchbox

My May Birchbox:

I love the box design this month, and am glad they brought the tissue paper back, it just looks so much nicer.

My thoughts on the products I got this month:

ModelCo. Lipgloss~ Very moisturizing, good staying power, I like the nude, but would be interested in trying other colors.

Parlor Sea Salt Spray~ After the horrible experience with their Leave in Conditioner I was half afraid to try this product, but reluctantly I did. It smells pretty good, but did nothing to/for my hair. I'd rather that than the crunchy, sticky, yucky mess of the leave in, but needless to say I'm not a fan.

Real Chemistry Body Scrub~ I haven't used this yet, it seems interesting, I'll update you when I give it a try.

Supergoop Sunscreen~ I like that Supergoop products don't smell like sunscreen, and aren't sticky or slimy, but it's still sunscreen and $50 seems a bit steep to me. 

Well People Concealer~ A bit on the thicker side, but I liked this. Not the best ever, but better than some. Not something I'd pay $22 for. 


What was in your box?

Have a great day!
~CraftinWife

MOTW Challenge #4

This has been so much fun! I did well in my challenge(s) last week, I still need more ideas, So please leave a comment below!

This weeks challenges:
1) 5 items or less, and actually look like I'm wearing makeup!
2) I am going to try to use at least 3 more lip products. 
3) Now that I have a bit more high end makeup, I'll try a high end vs. drugstore!

This past weeks looks:

 Have a great day!
~CraftinWife