And...We're Off!

Hey guys and gals,

I'm going to be on a little holiday for the next few days, and wanted to give you folks a heads up. However, while I may not be here, I am going to do my darndest to post regularly on the Adorable Napalm Facebook page (link's on the sidebar). If you haven't joined up, now's a good time to do that, and feel free to pass it along to your friends. I also have the best of intentions of updating the page with the newer posts, but we all know about good intentions. Anyway, right now, I have to go and see how I can fit all my styling junk into the quart-sized baggie TSA allows in carry-on. They clearly have more confidence in my "natural beauty" than I do. As for the flight...well, I just hope I don't hear this:

Photo Credit: ziggyzone

Happy Early Labor Day! Have a wonderful weekend, and I'll keep you all posted!

That's My Bag, Baby!: Modella Travel Bag Review

Photo Credit: Overstock.com

Things are crazed around here today, so I'm going to leave you with my latest must-have find. If you do any traveling at all, you're going to want to surf on over to Overstock.com right now (they may sell out), or hit up your local Wal-Mart (where I found mine) and pick up a Modella Fitted Weekender Bag with Travel Bottles. Obviously, it's not a quart-sized plastic baggie, so it's not getting past TSA in your carry-on, but it's easily the nicest travel bag I've seen in a long, long time.

The outside zippered section is breathable mesh, and houses sturdy, taut elastic loops and mesh pockets for either the enclosed bottles (which are great) or your own travel-sized toiletries. There's also a bath pouf included in the Wal-Mart version, and what looks like a bar soap holder in the Overstock. 

The next zipper bisects (big word!) the interior, with a clear plastic upper compartment, and another breathable mesh compartment below. You can tell that the plastic is "upper" because there's a handy dandy little hook for hanging on the shower rod or towel bar. These are very roomy compartments, with plenty of room for all of your travel-sized necessities. I mean, it's not going to hold your full-sized cans of whatever, but you're traveling. You don't need 16 ounces of goo. 

I'm using the plastic compartment for things like my toothpaste, shaving cream...things that could possibly explode. Laugh, but I've had it happen before. I've never had so much fun in my life as I did cleaning moisturizer out of my luggage, then trudging all over NYC to find a CVS to replace it (I'm particular about my moisturizer, okay?). I used every.single.towel in the room, and gave the hairdryer a significant workout. Ah, memories...

Anyway, the mesh compartment is large enough to hold a couple of makeup palettes, a few brushes, foundation...basically everything you'll need. To give you some idea how awesome that is, the last time I traveled, I needed two (2) dump train cases to get all my stuff to and from Florida. I fit everything in this bag. This isn't a bulky bag, either. It lays flat, and takes up very little space. It's just well-utilized space.

Overstock has a pink and black one for $19.95. Supposedly it has four compartments. I never found a fourth, but this case may be a slightly different style. My pink plaid case from the local brick and mortar Wally World was less than $15. 

Final Verdict: 9 out of 10. It's darn near close to perfect. 

Barbie's Dream Wedding Album

Between singing for weddings, attending weddings, having photographer friends, wearing the old bridesmaid dress, and also having had my own Big Fat Catholic Wedding, I've seen and/or posed for plenty of wedding photos, and I've noticed that there are always some key stock poses scattered throughout the sets. It's inevitable. See, even though every couple is different, most weddings aren't. Sure, the venues and themes change, but I think we can agree that you're more than likely going to have the kiss, the cake (or dessert of some sort. I hear pie is coming into fashion), the first dance, the bouquet toss, and the couple's exit. According to Rock n Roll Bride,

"There are certain photo set-ups that you see all over wedding photography (the shoe shot, the dress shot, the bridal portraits just after she’s got ready, the groom getting ready with his boys etc…)"  

You know, key ingredients. Hence the key stock poses. This is not a lack of creativity on anyone's part. It's just documentation. Can you name one bride who wouldn't be completely miffed not to have a picture of herself in her wedding gown, or with her new husband in those first few minutes of marital bliss? 

Of course, good photogs know how to spice things up with personalized shots based on the couple's tastes and personalities, and the wedding's location, theme, etc. Really good ones can even grab those sparkling candids that become so precious to us. I have a couple of fantastic shots of the bouquet toss, when some kidlets ran in and snapped up the flowers before any of the single ladies knew what hit them. I also know that somewhere, floating around, there's an awesome shot of just my heels coming out from underneath a friend's bridal gown, when I had to crawl under her skirt to adjust her inner lacings. It's probably, like my photos, wedged between a photo of the pearls on her veil, and one with the bridesmaids holding out their bouquets. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

French photographer Beatrice de Guigne understands the situation, and decided to have a little fun with one of her couples: Barbie and Ken. Really. In this, believe it or not, beautifully shot album, the photographer explores all those stock poses we've come to expect, and shows us why they're so loved. It's witty, artful, and surprisingly sweet. See below for a taste. More photos are available at Glamour.com (or click the above link). 

Photo Credit (All): Glamour

Frugal Fridays

Technology hates me, generally speaking. I've melted not one, but two (count 'em--TWO) Mac power cords, watched a virus attack a Toshiba laptop, and have run for cover from a sparking and ticking television. Technology has a contract out on me.

Photo Credit: Sephora

Now, though, Technology seems to be smiling down upon me, if only for this one brief moment. For, you see, it is Friday, and the day that one of my favorite online shopping sites delivers Facebook-only deals! Hallelujah!

(Honestly, I'm borderline ill right now, so I take my happiness where I can get it. Don't judge me.)

Sephora has introduced a new program called Fan Fridays. Each Friday, a code for a special offer will be posted on the Sephora Facebook page. "Like" Sephora to get the code and to be "in the know" about all things Sephora. This week, the code is for a free deluxe mini Yves Saint Laurent lipstick in Rose Stiletto. You can use the code with any online purchase made today only. 

I promise, if I hear of any more of this type of deal, I'll pass it along to you. In the meantime, if you hear of any, do a girl a favor and let me know, please! Pretty please? I'll be your best friend!!

Voglio il mio Missoni!

This Fall, Target is expanding upon its budget-friendly designer goods base with the addition of Italian brand, Missoni. I'm tickled.

Photo Credit (This and Below): Racked

Granted, I'm not normally a bold, multi-colored print kind of girl, but I adore sweaters and anything sweater-like, so this is right up my alley. Sweater knit tights, arm warmers, socks, scarves, hats...you name it. I may have to just wear one or two pieces at a time, though. The outfit on the model above, while cute as a bug, is kind of making my eyes twitch. There will even be home items, such as this bowl that I'm currently obsessing over. It kind of matches my kitch...um...dining r...okay, so it doesn't go with a dead-gum thing in my house, but I may just re-decorate around it.

The collection hits Target stores September 13th, with prices ranging from $2.99 to $599.99 (for a patio set; don't panic). Most items will be under $40. For a sneak peek at the entire collection, click here. It's bright, colorful, and screams Fall. I can't wait!

What's Wrong With This Picture?

Something is missing, and I can't quite put my finger on it...

Anybody? Bueller? Bueller?

Photo Credit (This and Above): Collider.com

Oh, that's it! He forgot his pants!

Photo Credit: Entertainment Earth

Honestly, I've not been too impressed with this costume since the original press photo came out, and that was even before I could tell that somebody forgot his Underoos. Then, I just didn't care for the fabric texture and the muted colors. Last I checked, Superman was supposed to be a bright beacon of hope. This one...well, I wouldn't want to meet him in a dark alley.

Photo Credit: ScreenRant

*He kind of scares me.* 

This is nothing against Mr. Cavill, of course. He's a fine actor and looks every inch the part. I just don't like the suit. At all.

What I do like, on the other hand, is this shirt from Trunk Ltd. Now, that truly is a super man. ($39.95, Trunk Ltd.)

Photo Credit: Beauty's Blog

Big Trouble in Stream of Conscious

Photo Credit: IMDb

So, last night Thomas and I were discussing how that Disney exec announced to the world that story didn't matter anymore in movie making. If you missed that, you can read all about it here. I just kind of stared at the screen for a while in stunned silence. Anyway...we both wondered what old Walt would have to say about the situation, and I mused that he probably welcomed Roy into Heaven with two questions: What the heck are they doing to my company, and were my last words really 'Kurt Russell'?

Well, that just led to a conversation about the awesomeness that is Kurt Russell, which, inevitably, led to Big Trouble in Little China. That, in turn, got me on an Asian-inspired fashion kick, which ended up with me scouring the interwebs for a cure to my craving. What I found was a cheesy but fun dress-up doll game. Yes, I'm thirty-one and too old for paper dolls and Barbie. So what? This is cool, and a lot easier on the credit card than a wardrobe upgrade. I warn you, though, it's mildly addictive as a time-waster, so proceed with caution. Now, if you'll excuse me, I want to see the blue formal with a silver hairstyle...

Dear Little Me

Hi guys!

I had the chance to guest post on a really fun blog today! The Hindsight Letters is a sweet, funny site where, among other things, letters are posted to our teenaged selves. Mine is up here, and I hope you check out the site and enjoy the letters.

Thanks!
Erin

Something's Gotta Give

I'm on a diet.

I'm bad at it.

This really sucks.

I'm trying to lose about fifteen pounds--enough to have a little more wiggle room in my skinny jeans, and a little less wiggle under my chin. As of this writing, I've been working on it for about a month, and have made zero progress. Just so you can understand how frustrating this is, here's a list of the life changes I've made in a month:

*I no longer drink soft drinks, save for the one I had at the movies when there was no alternative, and the diet coke I had with a salad. My only other option, at the time, was sweet tea. I went with the lesser of the two evils. Instead of soft drinks, I'm drinking bottles (plural) of water with calorie-free flavoring. I'm also downing a bottle of diet green tea per day.

*I've changed my snacking habits. I now eat two servings of fresh fruit as a mid-day snack. In the evenings, I either munch on popcorn (low-cal) or graham crackers with an itty-bitty bit of marshmallow fluff (low-cal. Empty calories, granted, but very few), or if desperate, one of those atrocious Fiber One brownies. I've cheated a grand total of three times in the past month, and never wildly.

*I've all but abandoned Starbucks. In the past month, I've been there twice. I now drink home-brewed coffee with Splenda and a little non-dairy creamer. One cup per day.

*Chicken fingers barely exist. I now get the no-finger salad when we go to the local heavenly chicken finger joint. If we have to go to the chain restaurant, Thomas and I split a meal, and I eat two fingers. I'm slowly curbing my addiction. I'm also cooking more at home, and watching serving sizes to keep everything around 400 calories.

*I have a smoothie place reward card, and there are even punches on it. It's attached to the heavenly chicken finger joint, so that's really saying something.

*There is no junk food in my house. The last of the ice cream went out yesterday. The worst thing in the pantry is a box of Little Debbie Apple Flips, and they're not that bad.

*I do sit-ups, push-ups, squats, and trampoline jogging at least twice a week--most of the time more, and walk two miles at least once, sometimes twice, per week. I'm beginning to stretch in the evenings while I'm watching TV.

*Out of desperation, I've even tried a fat burner and a very gentle two-week cleanse. There have been no side effects other than increased energy, so I'm keeping them up, but I can't swear they've done anything.

So, now I'm really making sure I don't cheat. 3 Fat Chicks on a Diet (love that name, by the way) suggests keeping a calendar, and using a sticker to mark off each day that you eat right, do all your exercising, and stick to your plan. At the end of a full month of stickers, you can treat yourself to a little happy, like a lipgloss, something cute to wear, new lingerie (oh, good Lord...that's more than a month!), or a massage. Another sweet visual reminder is this thermometer, that lets you tick off how much you've lost. My calendar is already on my fridge, so I may print this out and tack it up next to it for a little extra motivation.

Now, I know I'm not the only one out there in this situation. What are you guys doing to shed a few unwanted pounds? Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Doctor Who: Vampire Slayer

This weekend, a remake of one of my favorite 80s movies hits the screen. I didn't see the original Fright Night until I was grown (okay, so like, two, maybe three years ago), but I immediately fell in love with the story of a goofy kid who enlists a washed-up horror host (remember those?) to help him battle the fearsome vampire that just moved in next door. It was silly, sweet, and just scary enough.

Now, normally, I'm not one for wanting to fix unbroken things, but this remake has me interested for a number of reasons: 1) Anton Yelchin is an enormously talented actor, and just as cute as a little bug. 2) Colin Farrell as a sexy vampire. 'Nuff said. 3) David Tennant.

That third reason should actually be number one. Fellow Who fans will recognize Tennant as the incredibly popular Tenth Doctor. He has an enormous dramatic range, spanning from slapstick comedy (see: Casanova) all the way to tragic intensity (the RSC's Hamlet), so I'm really excited to see what he does with the updated role of the horror host--a cheesy, Criss Angel-esque, Vegas magician.

Honestly, I have no clue if this movie is going to be any good, or not. Thus far, reviews have been awesome, but until I see it, I can't give you a fair assessment. However, because I'm really super-excited, and because it's Friday and I feel like being silly, I'm going to link you to a cute essay on how to kill a vampire. Then, I'm going to let Mr. Tennant tell you how it's done.

*Warning! This movie is rated R. Please bear that in mind while viewing this clip.*

I Guarantee *I* Would Be Bigger on the Inside

I'm just going to post this picture and let it speak for itself:

Photo Credit: Mayfaire Moon

I. WANT. ONE. Nikki Cohen, the artist, is one seriously talented lady, and that's just the work in progress. Now, I just need a cool white blouse, some fitted black trousers, a whole lot more self-confidence, twelve jammie dodgers and a fez...

Extra, Extra! Read All About It!

Photo Credit: Sephora

BREAKING NEWS! This was totally not what I was planning to post today, but hey, that's life. As of today, Soap & Glory is once again available in the US! 

The adorable Brit skincare line launched online at Sephora.com in the wee hours of the morning, and will be in stores come September. The citrus-scented cult fave left its sparsely stocked Target shelves last Fall, much to the chagrin of its loyal followers. Of course, along with its shop status, prices have increased, and not insignificantly. There seems to be about a five-dollar uptick (give or take) across the board. 

I'm a little sad. This is a brand that's near and dear to my heart. As I said in an earlier post, I gifted some of these items to my bridesmaids when I got married. I trusted only this brand of facial cleansing wipes when I was filming The Night Shift and had to have clear, pretty skin. "Clean on Me" is not only the best body wash I've ever used, but also the smoothest shaving cream never to clog my razor. So, it's not that the line isn't worth the extra cost, it's just that the original point of the brand (which I can no longer find written anywhere...) was to be affordable, and now, that idea seems to have gone out the window. Basically, what I'm saying is that, while I'm thrilled to see this back in the States, I was fine paying Target prices and bringing home a plastic Target bag. I don't have--nor does anyone else I know-- the extra money to shell out, solely, for gift wrapping and a label. Maybe, if I'm really good and eat all my vegetables, Santa will see fit to put some face wipes and body wash in my stocking. 

In other news, my above mentioned movie, The Night Shift, has found a fabulous distributor, and will be available on DVD in the US and Canada (I'm sorry, everyone else) on October 25th! In fact, if you pre-order on Amazon (there's a link on the sidebar, too), there's an option to possibly have it delivered on that day, so you might even have your copy in time for Halloween! Now, I know you're all going to hop right over and order yours immediately, right. Right? 

Lastly, but not least: Hi, Tempest.

Have a great Wednesday!!

What All the Cool Kids Are Doing: Fall Makeup Trends

School is back in session. Halloween decorations (and Christmas, but that's another rant for another day) are cluttering up store aisles. The temperature even briefly dropped below "potentially deadly" for a moment this morning. Yep, Fall is on its way, and with that, I give you the expected trends for 2011! (By the way, as I write this, I'm wearing practically no makeup and my hair is frizzing beyond belief. Those that can't do, I suppose...)

Flawless, Bare Faces
That's right. One of the biggest trends in makeup is, well, to not wear any. Actually, let me rephrase that: it's to look like you're not wearing any. Minimal foundation, no liners of any kind, and only the teeniest tinge of cream rouge (example: Urban Decay Afterglow--which also works for lips!) are what's rocking the catwalk these days. Instead of crazy colors, play up your brows and keep your skin dewy. Luminizers (such as Benefit High Beam or LORAC Perfectly-Lit) are recommended for cheeks, brow bones, inside corners of eyes, and all over lids. Lips are natural and plush (try CoverGirl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm).

Bold Lips
If you're already sporting the nude face, or just want to kick it into high gear for a special occasion, keep doing what you're doing and focus all your color effort on the lip. Oranges, Cherries, Burgundies, and Almost Blacks are the name of the game, and the applications are just as varied as the hues. You can smudge it, line it, gloss it, or go for high-impact matte. It's completely up to you. Keep it modern by pairing it with piled-on, spidery mascara. Seriously. The spider legs are in, and look amazing. My picks for lip color: MAC Russian Red for dramatic lipstick, and Buxom Ruby for jewel-toned shine. Buxom Lash or Fresh Magic Wands for mascara.

Liner, Liner, Liner!
Again, keep the makeup minimal, and save the drama for one spot--in this case, the eyeliner. Whether you swipe thin lines for rocker chic, wing it out (or even down--it's new and hot!), or pile on a thick upper line for a decidedly retro look, this is the time to invest in a good liner pen. I'm a fan of Smashbox Limitless Liquid Liner Pen. Not great with liquid, but love the look? Try MAC Fluidline.

Flashy Eyes
With so much emphasis on bare skin and minimal color, I guess the fashion world was saving up for this! Technicolor smoky eyes (think: purples, teals, and oranges gradating from the lids) and metallic shimmers are all the rage this season. The high color concentration in Urban Decay shadows, and MAC shadows and pigments should make your smoky looks pop, while Benefit's Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner has plenty of chrome and metallic shades to make sure you sparkle.  

Got any hot tips for Fall looks? Share them in the comments. Please. I can use all the help I can get.

The Next Cake I Make Will Be Full of Rum, Thank You.

It's that time of year again! Today marks the deadline of Threadcakes '11! For those of you who have no clue what I'm talking about, Threadcakes is an online cake decorating competition; think: Food Network Challenge, but from the comfort of your own home, and without Kerry Vincent's precious, yet fear-inducing accent. What really makes this a fun and challenging contest, though, is the fact that each cake must be based (however loosely) on a Threadless t-shirt design of the baker's choice. Pictures are uploaded, and a panel of celebrity judges picks the winner.

I just got my pictures uploaded. The contest ends at midnight. My heart should start beating again in a few minutes.

Honestly, though, I have no delusions of ever winning this thing. In fact, Thomas and I have started referring to it as "that cake contest we lose every year". I don't say this for sympathy. I say this because I am truly in awe of some of the spectacular creations that are churned out each year. Plus, I'm only a recreational decorator. I use this contest as a learning experience. Case in point, the first year we did this, we learned to cover a cake with fondant, make gum paste figures, and pour sugar glass. Last year, we added in modeling chocolate and ganache, and this year we learned about rice krispy treat sculpting, and that we should avoid like the plague ever doing it again. (And yet, we totally will on the next cake. Probably even if we don't need to. They're yummy.)

So, in honor of all the hard working decorators who entered this year, I give you a sampling of some of my personal favorites, not already featured on other sites (that I knew of). Now, if only I could taste them...

Mr. Salad

That's not lettuce. That's actually modeling chocolate, and I am in awe. I cannot even begin to imagine how long that took the decorator.

Sushi

That is fondant made from rice, garlic-pressed into looking like rice. Easily, the cutest sushi ever.

And the Winner Is...

...Red Riding Hood. Never mess with a tiny woman. I could have told those pigs and wolf that much.

Rose Marry

How gorgeous is that painting?! And the 3D roses! It's flawless, I say. Flaw. Less.

Let's Plant

And this is mine. Well...at least we had fun. That's what matters. I do think my little dino is cute, though. And it all tasted good. And my cellphone takes lousy pictures. 

The gallery is up, and you can like, tweet, +1, and comment on all of your favorites, so show some cake decorating love!

Recessionistas and Urban Cowboys

I refuse to get into politics on this site (or any other, for that matter), but there's no getting around the fact that the economy has gone down the proverbial toilet. Every penny counts these days, so today's post is brought to you, in part, by savings.com. They have a wonderful list of ways to save and/or reuse old cosmetics and makeup tools. 

1. Use one of your old smaller makeup brushes to clean off nail polish on your skin when doing a manicure. Just dip it in a little bit of acetone and wipe around the edges of your nails.
2. Got a bunch pigments and lipglosses that you don't use anymore? Try blending them together in a small pot to make your own custom colored lipglosses. You can also clean up old lipgloss wands and use them as an applicator.
3. Instead of throwing away old mascara, wash the brushes thoroughly and use them to tame unruly eyebrow hairs or to separate and clumped up eyelashes.
4. Save broken face powders and powder blushes and use them as loose powders. If you've dropped your compact, or even worse it cracks and gets all over your purse, save what's left of it in a small container. As long as you have a brush, you can still use it as loose powder.
5. If your foundation doesn't match your skin tone, you can mix a little bit of it in your moisturizer or body lotion to give it a slight tint. Also, if the foundation is slightly darker than your skin tone, you can use it as a contour shade on your cheek bones to give it some more definition.
6. If you've bought a conditioner that just wasn't cutting it for your hair, keep it on hand to reuse as a shaving cream. It works just as well and moisturizes your skin as you shave.
7. Try using eyeshadow to temporarily touch up roots. Spray your hair with a little bit of hairspray then pat on eyeshadow on the roots. Browns help cover up gray hair and gold, shimmery colors work with blondes.  --From savings.com

Those are brilliant. There also common sense enough to make me kick myself over some of the stuff I've thrown out. 

Alrighty! Today's dip into the old magic bag o' samples brought out Urban Decay's Lip Junkie Lip Gloss in Midnight Cowboy. And yes, before you ask, the first thing I thought of was, in fact, John Travolta. 

According to Urban Decay:

Get hooked on shine, without the sticky hangover. Lip Junkie features a soft, luxe texture, stay-put shades and tastes like wedding mints. Addicted yet?
You want a super-shiny gloss, but can't stand the sticky texture, right? Wait till you feel the soft, cushiony texture of this gloss! Lip Junkie stays put longer than other glosses, but never feels gummy or gooey. It comes in a range of pretty amazing shades (if we do say so ourselves), and the color payout is amazing. Take your pick from sheer pretty neutrals, kick-ass brights, or glimmering near-black. And the flavor? Think yummy wedding mints... a sweet mint with a little zing that makes breath feel fresh. 

Photo Credit: Urban Decay

Midnight Cowboy is a neutral beige with a ton of silver sparkle, which gives your lips a frosted nude look. Personally, I love it. I think it's a gorgeous gloss, and one of the few nudes I can actually wear and not look like a cadaver. It's not sticky, but it is a little tacky. I can live with that, but I wouldn't recommend showering your significant other with kisses while you have this on. The gloss is mildly plumping (they recommend a month of daily use for full effectiveness), and has a pleasant, cooling tingle. The vanilla mint flavor is yummy, and helps freshen breath--though not enough to toss out your Tic Tacs. Mine main gripe is that I had trouble with too much coming out of the tube. Granted, this was a sample, but the full-sized tube uses the same application method. All in all, this is a beautiful gloss with some extra perks, and not a bad investment at $19. Available at Urban Decay and Sephora.

Final Verdict: 8 out of 10. Nicely nude and sweetly sparkly. 

Magic Bag O' Samples and the Scottish Predicament

The magic bag o' samples made a reappearance this week, and from its mystical depths I withdrew Too Faced's Lip Injection Extreme. ($28, Sephora) Figuring, "what the hey? I could stand looking like Angelina Jolie," I decided to give this pretty plumper a shot. 

Before I go any further, let's see what Sephora has to say about this product:

Lip Injection Extreme is a lip plumping serum that gives long term results based on the most scientifically proven and advanced lip plumping technologies. Too Faced uses a potent quadra-delivery system that combines Vitamin E, collagen-booster MaxiLip and Dehydrated Marine Sponge to stimulate blood flow, promote fullness and re-hydrate with the body's own moisture for a long-lasting effect. Moisturizing doses of Avocado and Jojoba Oil condition to ensure a smooth, plump pout.

So, for the tl;dr crowd, what we have here is a lip plumper that works after a long period of regular use. Luckily, I had a pretty large sample, so I could give this an adequate testing. Let's break this down into categories, shall we?

Photo Credit: Sephora

Look: By "look", I mean the look of the product, not the packaging. This was a sample, so while the packaging was similar to what you'd get with a full-sized product, it wasn't spot-on exact. The plumper, itself, is a cloudy, iridescent clear. When applied, a high-shine, vinyl effect is achieved. Also, your lips will flush upon application, giving you some healthy color. It's actually really lovely. 10 out of 10.

Comfort: User reviews warned me that this would flat-out hurt. They must have really sensitive lips, or maybe mine are just lip plumper-friendly, because, while there was a definite tingle, the discomfort was no worse than I've experienced with any other lip plumper. It was about the equivalent of rubbing Red Hots or Dentyne across your lips. The gloss, itself, is non-sticky, relatively long-wearing (beware of eating), and lubricating, if not moisturizing. Some have complained of dryness, but I've not experienced that problem. 8 out of 10.

Ease of Use: This is to be used twice a day, and only twice a day. I keep it in my bathroom, on the counter, near my skincare products. When I wash my face and put on my moisturizer in the morning and at night, I follow up with this plumper. It really couldn't be simpler. The only drawback is not being able to use it for touch-ups during the day, because it is so pretty, but any lip product can be worn in the interim (or even on top). Too Faced does suggest using their temporary lip plumper, though. I've had decent results with Buxom, Urban Decay, and believe it or not, the non-plumping Beauty Rush from Victoria's Secret. In other words, use what you like. My only complaint is that this is a little pricey, but about standard for a plumping treatment. 9 out of 10.

Effectiveness: I can't swear to permanently fuller lips, but I can tell a definite difference. That's a new one for me. Most of the time, I can't tell if it's the shine that makes the lips look larger or if it's the actual plumper. This one, I can still see the results after the shine has worn off. 7 out of 10. 

Final Verdict: 8 out of 10. If you're in the market for a plumper, give this non-surgical option a try.

On a completely unrelated note, Halloween is a mere two months away, and I'm trying to get my costume in order. This year, I'm geeking out and going as Amy Pond from Doctor Who. Frankly, I thought her kissogram costume was freaking adorable, and I already have reddish hair, so this should be a snap, right? Wrong. I can't find a (reasonably priced) flack jacket anywhere. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know. It seems I'm not the only one having issues, if the cosplay forums are any indication, so several people would probably be very appreciative. Here's a pic of the costume:

Photo Credit: Cosplay Island

Thanks, guys!!

Why Must You Taunt Me So?

This came to me yesterday, and I have scoured the Internet like mad ever since. These items are, sadly, not available in the US...yet. I will continue to hold out hope. I give you...

Photo Credit (This and Below): Tokyo Fashion

...Batman lingerie!!!

How cute is that?! This set is from Aimerfeel's "We (Heart) Hero" collection, which also features this little number:

Look at the itty-bitty ears!!!! Oh, me wants it, my precious!!! Superman styles are also available, but I'm really digging the Batman sweetness. See you tomorrow! Same adorable time, same adorable channel!

Keeping It PG

Keeping a family-friendly site is harder than it looks...

I ran across a forum, today, that listed folks favorite substitute swear words. Since school is starting back, and little folks with little ears will overrun us all, I thought I might share it and a few other cute sites with you guys.  Heck, maybe I can use some of them to curb my own cussing. Then again, how can you catch a wave upon the sand?

The first place is just a community forum on a hobby site. I like "smoogies", "fluffernuts", and "eishkabagles".

Next up, theforce.net has a forum thread dedicated to the not-really-swear words used in Star Wars. "Stang" is kind of cute, and might make my brother and his friends giggle.

Lastly, Topless Robot has a list of curse words from Firefly/Serenity. If you're not familiar with the show/movie (and why the heck aren't you? They're fantastic!), the characters speak English, but swear in Mandarin. This made things a little quirky, and helped get around those pesky censors. Now, technically, if you use these, you're still swearing, but no one will be the wiser. Well, not counting people who are fluent in Mandarin. Those, you might really offend, so proceed with caution. I might also add, the linked post gives translations and definitions, so while funny, it isn't exactly safe for work.

Anybody have a favorite substitute swear to share with the rest of the class?

Math Lessons in Etiquette: A Rant

Here's a math problem for you. I needed to make a little pre-work run into Target today, but first had to run by the gas station. I was almost on empty, and knew this, so I left home in plenty of time to take care of both errands. 

The gas station I chose was directly across the street from Target, with no other station within a feasible distance. I pulled in, and realized that the only open set of pumps was out of order, with the exception of the diesel nozzle. Every other space was taken, so I would need to wait. That's fine. That's not a big deal. That happens.

As I sat in the car, I looked around at the six vehicles in pump spaces, and started to notice something disturbing. While a little old lady washed the windows of her car, there was only one other person actively using a pump--an idiot on his cell phone. Because we all want to blow up, apparently. The other cars were either empty, or had someone in the passenger seat. That's four (4) cars, just sitting there (you guys still paying attention?). Of course, I thought, these people may have gone in the shop to pay before pumping. I'm one for giving the benefit of the doubt.

So there I sat. Granny kept on washing her windows. Cell phone guy went inside, but left his car. No one else moved...for several minutes. Finally, one lady came out of the shop with a bag, and got into her van. As she drove away, I pulled into the spot...and realized that the pump was not only out of order, but didn't even have a nozzle! She had never even used the pump! It had only been a parking spot to her! (By the way, I think I should mention that this is a large convenience store, with a fairly decent sized parking lot. It's not like she couldn't have parked in a real spot. In fact, she'd have been closer to the door if she had.)

So, I pull back out of the pump area, and resume sitting. Granny begins washing the entire exterior of her car with the squeegee. No one else moves. I just sit and wait...for several more minutes. Another van comes in and pulls up to the non-existent pump. They proceed to sit in their vehicle and gab on the phone. 

Eventually, Granny decides that her car is clean enough, and decides to move, and I start to move into position to get into the space. As Granny gets in her car, an Air-Conditioning truck pulls into the parking lot. He sees me, but proceeds to try to beat me to the space. Thankfully, upon seeing me hit the brakes to keep from hitting him, and my extremely exaggerated sigh, he backed off and let me into the spot. He then went around to the set of out of order pumps and proceeded to use the working diesel nozzle (so he didn't even need the space I was trying to get). One of the other drivers came out of the store, got in their car, and left. They had not been pre-paying. The phone-gabbing van driver got out of her vehicle and noticed the non-existent nozzle, got irritated, and moved around to the newly vacated space. As I pulled out of the parking lot, I realized I'd spent almost fifteen minutes trying to put gas in my car. The Target run never happened. 

Question: How many cars never moved in the fifteen minutes I spent at the gas station?*

The thing is, this is not a novelty. I can't tell you how many times I have been blocked into a space--recently!--by a car that doesn't realize that all those little lined-off areas are specifically for putting your car in when you need to sit still and wait for someone or something. You don't have to wait in the street! Honestly, the only reasons for needing to idle in the street while you wait for your party, because you need to get out of the parking lot so quickly that you don't have time to even pull out of a spot (and I don't mean far away, back of the lot spots. We're talking right by the door spaces) are leaving a robbery (which I do not advise. Stealing is bad) or if one of your car's future passengers is actively in labor. That's it. Finito.

I saw this today, and while I don't see it being any less rude than the driver of the car you put it on, I can see its purpose. Now you can not only leave an anonymous "you park like a moron" note on someone's car, but they can reply back online. Most of the time, the notes and replies are not something I'd feel comfortable reproducing here, but after reading through them, I can totally understand why the notes were left. $4.95, niceparkingdude.com. 

*Answer: Three. Half of the cars that were there when I arrived. Half. Seriously. That's three people who needed the above citations. Maybe I should pick up a pack of those notes...

 

I Swear, I've Never Done This Before!

A little while back, I gave you all the heads up on a nifty little doo-dad over at Too Faced: custom palettes for half-price (roughly the same price as one of the three included items). That was a fantastic deal, and I'm completely in love with mine, but alas, all good things must come to an end, and the custom palettes are no more. However, all the items that went into the palette are still available, and they're pretty darn awesome, so I thought I'd share with you a quick review of each.

Photo Credit (This and All): Too Faced

First up, the eyeshadow duo that came with my palette was Totally Toasted. The right side of the duo is a pink-tinged beige, while the left is a rosy brown. I love this eyeshadow. It's creamy, but not so soft that it breaks when you look at it funny (I'm looking at you, Stila), and pearly without being too glittery. The lighter color completely brightens your eye area, too, while the crease color adds just enough definition to be polished without screaming "I'm wearing makeup!!" They also blend together like magic. I've been pairing mine with a black liner pen on the top lashes, a smoky gray shadow liner on bottom, and black mascara on top lashes only. It's a little mod, and a little pin-up-y at the same time. Currently, Totally Toasted is out of stock, but that seems to be a temporary situation. If you're desperate for a substitute, though, Sexpresso & Peach Fuzz (sorry, Mom) seems to be the next closest duo. $17.00, Too Faced. 10 out of 10.

Next up, the brightening blush in Pinch My Petals Pink. Now, I'm more of a warm-toned girl; between the auburn hair and green eyes, I didn't have much choice in the matter. However, sometimes you just need to wear pink blush, especially when you're as into pink as I seem to have gotten in my advanced age. (Seriously, my pink phase has just happened over the past couple of years. What happened? I mean, I've always liked pink, but this has gotten out of hand...anyway...) It's just never been my best blush choice. I've tried everything from baby pink to fuchsia, to no avail. This blush, for some reason, works. It's pink--there's no doubt--but it's very subtle, with a hint of warmth, and it's just lovely. It also glides on silky-smooth, and looks very natural. This is a keeper. $20.00, Too Faced. 10 out of 10.

Lastly, the Mirror Mirror lipgloss in I Love Myself. First off, let me just say that I adore the names of these glosses. Each one is a little ego boost. My next purchase may have to be "D*mn, I'm Hot", just because it'll make me giggle pulling it out of my purse. This gloss is hot pink in the container, but goes on sheer with just a hint of rosy color. Now, they weren't kidding when they called it Mirror Mirror; this stuff is vinyl-like in its shininess! Thing is, though, it's not even slightly sticky, feels moisturizing, and lasts for a good long time. Again, pink isn't the easiest color for me to wear, but this is extremely flattering. Bonus points for smelling and tasting like pink grapefruit. My only gripe: the deluxe sample they sent me isn't nearly big enough! I'm going to actually have to buy the full-sized. $14.40, Too Faced. 10 out of 10.

And that, ladies and gents, is a first. I've never--NEVER--given a palette all 10s before. It's a Festivus Miracle!!

When iPads Break, Puppies Cry

I'm what you might call "behind the times". Yes, I have an iPod. The last time I updated it was...um...I want to say Ought-Six. I'm currently carting around the tome that is the seventh Harry Potter novel instead of a cute little Nook or Kindle, and I'm fairly certain my smartphone would trump me on an IQ test. All this is to say (please don't hurt me), I don't have an iPad.

I promise, I'm not going all hipster on you. I don't ever intend to go back to the manual typewriter I learned on, even for some ironic reason, like "I'm above technology, so I'll bang on these old keys while listening to vinyl, next to my television set that I've turned into a planter". No, thank you. I like my laptop, my Droid, and my interwebs. I'm just not good with technology (it hates me), so I've been slow to jump on the whole iPad bandwagon. Maybe if I traveled more...or were better at touch screens...and didn't drop everything I touch...

In any case, a lot of you out there have iPads, and frankly, I'm a little jealous of your technical prowess, and wish to live vicariously through you for a bit, so I compiled a few of my favorite iPad cases for your viewing pleasure and shopping convenience. You're welcome.

I adore this little Super Mario Bros.-inspired case. It's a 1-Up shroom, and completely precious. The HoobyGroovy Etsy shop has other gamer designs, as well, including a red shroom, a goomba, and a ridiculously cute Yoshi. $49.95, Etsy.

Photo Credit: HoobyGroovy

This next one gets props for cleverness. Made in the same factory as the toy, this Etch-A-Sketch case not only protects your device from breakage, but also acts as a very low-tech theft deterrent* by asking, "who would steal an Etch-A-Sketch?" It's spot-on, and when paired with the Etch-A-Sketch app, a fun little trip down memory lane. $39.99, ThinkGeek.

Photo Credit: ThinkGeek

I don't care how old I get, I'm always going to be a sucker for two things: sparkle and Sanrio. I love me some Hello Kitty. This is temporarily out of stock on Amazon, but normally it retails for around $25.

Photo Credit: Amazon

Now, here's one I can afford! It's a DIY case made from a kitchen drawer liner, colorful duct tape, and velcro. It's super-cute, and shouldn't take more than a few minutes to make. Plus, it's completely custom, so it's completely your personality! I seriously may make one for my laptop.

Photo Credit: The FashionStake Blog

Okay, now back to trying to figure out how to get the pictures off my phone and onto my computer. This could take a while...

*Seriously, people. Don't leave your iPad unattended. That's just begging for trouble, cute case or no.

Well, I'm Inspired!

Today's post is going to be short and sweet. I just wanted to send out a congratulations to Dame Helen Mirren (like she reads this...) for being named L.A. Fitness' "Body of the Year"!

Photo Credit: People Magazine
Left: Helen Mirren. Right: Runner-Up Elle MacPherson

The woman is 66 years-old, and beat out supermodel Elle "the Body" MacPherson, Jennifer Lopez, and Pippa Middleton, among others, to claim the gym chain's title. That's incredible. Dame Mirren is proving that, no matter what your age, you can be fit and sexy. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go do about 6,000 situps to try to get my half-her-age body into half as good shape.

Cheap Tricks: E.L.F. Beauty School

Photo Credit: E.L.F. Cosmetics

This just appeared in my inbox this morning, and I have to say, I love the concept. E.L.F. Cosmetics (you know, the nice company that sells decent makeup for really cheap) now has what they refer to as "Beauty School". For about five bucks, you get either a face or eye palette, and step-by-step instructions that show you what goes where. There's even a place for you to record your favorite looks, so you don't forget which products worked the best together--not that I'd ever forget...no, sir. I have a mind like a steel...what were we talking about again?

As these have just come out, I've not had a chance to try the sets. I have, however, used E.L.F. for quite some time, and am familiar enough with the products involved to give you a fair analysis, especially since these are not new products. These are existing products, repackaged with how-to guides.

The eyeshadow collections (there are four: Bright, Everyday, Natural, and Smoky) each come with twelve shades, one eyeliner pencil, one shadow applicator, and instructions, and comes housed in a mirrored palette. For five bucks, it's not a bad deal. In fact, for a makeup novice, I'd say it's worth the five bucks for the instructions alone. E.L.F. eyeshadows can be a little hit or miss with pigmentation, but for normal, everyday wear (or for younger makeup lovers), they're workable. The same can be said for the eyeliner pencil. It's not super creamy, but it'll do. Again, remember that this whole thing is only five dollars.

The face collection (there's only one) consists of four shimmer creams, four concealers, one blush, one bronzer, and one face brush, plus instructions. There's no mirror with this palette. Again, the instructions are worth the money. They're practically paint-by-number. The shimmer creams are lovely, and make your skin look dewy. E.L.F. blushes tend to be pigmented enough for a nice, natural finish, and the bronzer's not bad in moderation. I've never been a huge fan of their concealers, but only because they're too dark for my fish-belly white skin. The brush can be chucked, though. E.L.F. makes some fantastic brushes, but this isn't one of them.

These are great to learn with. I highly recommend them for young teens, as they're instructive and a great--inexpensive--way to experiment with color. I've got to say, there's nothing more irritating than spending fifteen or twenty bucks on an cool looking eyeshadow, only to get home and realize that amazing green looks way better in the container than it does on your face. I would suggest, though, adding a few nice brushes, an eyeshadow primer,  mascara, and an eyeliner pen into the mix--all of which are conveniently listed under the Beauty School collection. Gee, I wonder how that happened...

Bottom line, for practice or experimentation, you can't beat this collection. Think of them as training wheels; learn on them, then use those skills with your favorite products.
 

Stickin' It to the Cable Man, and a Magnetic Marvel

Day 6 of limited Internet/cable access. The provider seems to be allowing us to use our services, but only in scattered, random spurts. I guess it's better than nothing, but morale is lessening, and tempers are starting to flare. Now, in addition to this fabled "the cable guy", our search has broadened to include the even more elusive (as if that were possible) "the supervisor", a far more powerful and mystical creature. It is said that "the supervisor" is capable of amazing feats, such as ensuring "the cable guy" actually appears, and even prorating your bill if that fails. Our trail for "the supervisor" grows cold, however. We thought we were making progress--we even had something called a "confirmation number" that would guarantee at least a phone call from "the supervisor", but, alas, that appears to have been merely rumor and folklore. Our wait continues, and our hope wanes...

In the meantime, I did have a sec to look something up for you. I'm bored, so maybe I'll try this little arts and crafts project. I mean, afterall, what else am I doing?

Photo Credit: Laura Thoughts

How cute is that?! It's a makeup magnet board! There's a darling, and very easy, tutorial here. This is a really creative, inexpensive, and practical space-saving solution that doubles as interactive art! Now that's adorable.