I Do Believe In Spooks, I Do, I Do, I Do!!!!!!!

In the five and a half years that I've been married to Thomas, some of the strangest sentences have come out of my mouth:

• "Do you think that body'll fit in the trunk?"
• "If it looks too bad, just cover it in blood."
• "I swear, I'm done with that skeleton! I'm just leaving him here!"
• "Seriously, there has got to be a price tag for that bag of limbs around here somewhere!"

And about a gagillion others just as disturbing. (Might I add, I work for a church...)

The oddest utterance to date, though, has to be the one that occurred over the weekend:  "Yeah, we should totally do Halloween Horror Nights."

What have I done?

In my thirty-three years on this Earth, I've been in a grand total of four haunted houses (okay, seven, if you count the real ones. Oddly, two out of those three didn't bother me, and the third was more annoying than anything else, but that's another story, nevermind). Now, out of those four, one was the Haunted Mansion at Disney World. Not going to lie, it makes me nervous. I love it, but it ups the anxiety level. One was my little brother's elementary/middle school fundraiser house, where the ghouls kept yelling out, "Boo, Curt's sister! I'm going to get you, Curt's sister!"

It was truly frightening, as I'm sure you gathered.

One house was at Niagara Falls, and boasted the most polite, well-mannered Ghost Face known to man. I ran through it with my eyes closed, clutching the jacket of a friend who was nice enough to go first. The last haunted house I attempted was at Universal Studios Hollywood, and I made it almost through the foyer before having to be escorted out by the Phantom of the Opera.

What have I done?

Truth be told, I'm really looking forward to going. For the past few years, Thomas and I have done the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom (and loved it!), but only toured Universal during the day. In broad daylight, you can see some of the decorations and scenes for the Horror Nights, and they looked really cool. I was especially impressed by the Walking Dead set up last year, with a car waiting for Sophia, and an abandoned school bus. We could also see ads for the shows that only run during Horror Nights, including one featuring Bill and Ted of the excellent journey fame. This year, they've added a live Rocky Horror show to the mix. It's never been my favorite movie, but I can see where a live performance might be a hoot. On top of all that, we're both super interested in horror makeup and scenic design. Why have we not been doing Horror Nights, again? Oh, yeah...I'm a coward. That's right.

We'd decided months ago that we wanted to do the behind the scenes tour (Unmasking the Horror. I still can't link--thanks, Blogger--but you can google it) that takes you on a lights-on, actor-free tour of three houses. Little by little, though, we started talking about maybe, possibly, trying to do Horror Nights just for the shows and cool decor. We could skip the houses, since we'll already have seen two of the ones we were most interested in (our tour includes Cabin In the Woods, American Werewolf in London, and La Llorona.), and the roaming scareactors (pronounced s-characters) are mostly Walking Dead themed, so they shouldn't bother me too badly. I've dealt with more than my fair share of zombies. I think I'll be okay. (key word: think) We'll just do the shows and ride some rides, and get to see the neat scenery. Plus, I hear they have margaritas. That's always a plus.

All of this is to say that, for the next few weeks, I'll be in mental preparation mode. There will be loads of research done on the event, the movies and legends behind the houses, and all that jazz, and it's most likely going to make its way over here. I'm a novice Horror Nighter, and a wussy, scaredy cat one, at that, so if nothing else, my probably idiotic attempt at conquering my fears might prove entertaining for you guys. Happy Haunting, y'all. Wish me luck.   

Putting the Lime (or Vanilla) in the Coconut: E.L.F. Studio Lotion Wipes First Impression

Did you know that Walmart carried E.L.F. now? Surprise!! I had to run in the store yesterday, and was greeted by a really nice display, filled with all sorts of essential and studio line goodies. As it happened, I had used up the last of my beloved Pacifica Island Coconut body lotion that morning, and was (and am) not in any real position to replace it anytime soon, so I called it kismet and picked up a pack of the E.L.F. Studio Lotion Wipes in the only available scent (it's fate, I tell you), Vanilla & Coconut. Today, I thought I'd give them a whirl and share my first impression of the product.

Honestly...it's kind of neat.

I'm going to start this off by saying that I will totally be replacing my Pacifica as soon as I can. There is absolutely no comparison between the two items. However, I do have some definite use for the E.L.F. wipes...just not necessarily as a moisturizer...let me 'splain:

The wipes smell lovely. The sweet vanilla and sweeter coconut give off an almost dessert-like fragrance, but the scent is so light that it's not cloying. It's downright dreamy, actually. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it), the scent doesn't last very long. Truthfully, I don't think it lasted much past application. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though. If you're a perfume wearer, you don't have to worry about competing; if you're going to be in a tight space with a lot of people (like an office cubical setting), you won't kill anyone allergies.

The formula, itself, is fairly dry, which is a plus in my book. The humidity down here is ridiculous, so anything greasy or thick flat-out melts off of your skin and feels disgusting. You can leave little lotion puddles on your car seats. It's not pretty; I don't enjoy it. This is nice and cool, sinks in quickly and leaves your skin feeling smooth, but dry to the touch. Its hydrating properties aren't bad, either. It's not the "World's Best Moisturizer" (TM), but it does the job. I applied after shaving, and that gross itchy feeling that you get after a close shave went away immediately, and I haven't experienced any irritation.

Now, the application is a bit tricky. You would think that a wipe would just, you know, wipe on. Um...no. Not quite. These wipes are super-soft, which sounds fantastic--who wants to rub something rough on their skin? Unfortunately, the texture causes the wipes to bunch up while you rub, effectively cutting the application surface by about 75%. It's workable, but a little annoying. Still, I'd rather have soft than scratchy any day.

This appears to be a nice product. It does what it claims. For three bucks, I couldn't be happier. That said, when I repurchase these (which I will), it will be to toss the very convenient little package in my theme park bag. I know, I know, that sounds odd, but again, let me 'splain:

I hate the smell of baby wipes. Well, actually, that's not entirely true. I adore the smell of baby wipes on a baby. I detest using them on myself. I'm 33, not three. I would like to smell like a grown-up, thank you. Normally, when we go to Disney or Universal, part way through the day I begin to feel less like a girl and more like a swamp thing. It's nice to be able to pop in the restroom and freshen up a bit before, say, going in a restaurant. I don't like to carry a ton in the parks, but a travel brush, some blotting papers or a little powder, some lipgloss...and a pack of baby wipes...go a long way toward making me feel human again. Now, these lotion wipes don't have the same cleaning properties as the baby wipes, but I'm not necessarily trying to clean anything. I just want to wipe off the sweat, cool down, and hopefully smell a little less theme park-y. This should do the trick nicely, and I won't have to go into Be Our Guest smelling like a pre-school.

Verdict (thus far): 8 out of 10. Good in a pinch, and great in a park.

Theme Park Makeup, Part Deux

Ed. Note: This is the second in a multi-part series. The first can be found here.

You know how it is. You go on vacation to a theme park, where you know you're going to be walking the equivalent of a half-marathon everyday, in the heat and humidity. Of course, this is also one of those occasions where you're going to have your picture taken a bajillion times.

"Oh, look! It's Mickey! Smile!"

"Oh, look! It's Hogwarts! Smile!"

"Oh, look! It's been five seconds since we took a photograph! Smile!"

True Story: On our last trip to Hollywood Studios, my mom wanted to take a picture of me and Thomas in front of a horse and buggy. It was crowded and loud, and neither of us could figure out what my mom wanted, but we saw the camera and guessed, but couldn't figure out what landmark she wanted in the background. We wandered around, totally confused, for a couple of minutes, until the buggy started to leave. Mom, not wanting to miss a picture of the buggy, snapped a quick photo, seemingly without us. It wasn't until we got to sit down in the shade for a second and look through the photos that we noticed that she had, indeed, gotten us in the shot--still trying to figure out where the heck we were supposed to stand. That may be my favorite picture of the trip.

Anyhoo, in the first installment, I showed you a barely-there, fairly matte look (on a horribly puffy face, and I am so sorry!) that could get you out of the hotel room pretty quickly, not require much (if any) touching up, and give you just enough polish to look camera-ready, but not made up. Of course, I've also been known to go to the parks sans makeup, so that's right up my alley. Not everyone wants to go that bare, so I've come up with a look that gives a little more coverage and is a bit more glam and shimmery. It's still really low-maintenance, but some of the products are on the higher-end, and you might want to invest in a Z-Palette or UNII Palette to keep from lugging around a million items.

Here's what we have:

• Too Faced Beauty Balm
• Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Polish in Amber
• Benefit Boi-ing concealer
• Benefit Hoola bronzer
• Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin
• ELF Brow Kit
• Rimmel Stay Matte powder in Transparent
• Urban Decay All-Nighter setting spray
• Real Techniques Blush, Buffing, Shadow, and Brow brushes
• UNII Palette
• NARS Orgasm blush
• Stila eye shadows in Kitten, Prize, and Sparkle
• Urban Decay eye shadow in Twice Baked
• Not Pictured: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero and a waterproof mascara of your choice. I don't have one. Yet. I'm wearing Buxom Lash, though, if you're interested. Anything not linked to was linked in the first installment.

Okay, let's do this. I started the eyes by priming, up to the brow, with UD Sin, keeping the majority of the product on the lid and sheering upward. Then, using the shadow brush, I added Stila Sparkle to the crease and outer corner. After that, I dabbed Stila Prize just in the center of the lid. I lined my upper lash line with the UD pencil, then ran UD Twice Baked over the liner, under the lower lash line, and used it to deepen the crease and outer corner. Lastly, I used Stila Kitten in the inner corner, inner part of the lower lash line, and inner part of the lid. I also used it to highlight the brow--all with the same shadow brush. Keeping it simple, here. Finish with mascara top and bottom.

Here's the whole she-bang. I used my fingers to apply the beauty balm and concealer. Then, I did my eyes like I just showed you, and my brows with the brow kit and brow brush (sure, the brush in the kit is fine, but the Real Techniques is better and faster, and it's so small that it doesn't take up enough space to count). Next, I powdered down with the powder and buffing brush. I used the blush brush to add bronzer to the tops of my cheeks, bridge of my nose, forehead and chin, then used the same brush to dust the blush on the apples of my cheeks. I used a clean finger to add a little Stila Kitten to the tops of my cheeks as a highlight, then, finally, swiped on a little long-lasting lip gloss. Done. Spray down with a little setting spray for extra insurance.

This has done really well in the heat and humidity down here, and I actually like it a lot better than the first look I came up with. The beauty balm covers so much better than the tinted moisturizer, but it's still not heavy. I would suggest tossing a powder compact or blotting papers in your backpack or totebag. You may not need them, but you could always touch-up on trips to the ladies' room, without taking any extra time out of your visit.

And now, for a little behind-the-scenes action. This is why I took pictures in the car. The little dude didn't much care for the photo shoot.

"Honey, Remember To Tip Cogsworth!"

I'm starting to get excited for my trip to Disney! Yes, it is in October. Why do you ask?

Yeah, I know, Thomas and I have both been to Disney more times than we can count (seriously. I have no idea how many times we've each visited), but it's our favorite vacation destination. Of course we do Disney on the cheap, so it's a rare treat to get to a hotel in the park. In fact, we've never stayed on property together, and I've only stayed on property a handful of times, myself. When I had to go to Disney on business (I know, poor, pitiful me. Best. Business. Trip. Ever.) I was put up at Coronado Springs, which was gorgeous, and I highly recommend it, should money be no object. My high school Senior Trip boarded the class, dorm-style, at the All-Star Sports Resort, but the trip was so jam-packed and harried, I barely remember sleeping. In fact, I'm not entirely sure I did...

Anyhoo, the only other time I stayed at a Disney resort was as a kid. I was about fourteen, and my parents booked a cruise on the (now-defunct) Big Red Boat, with a trip to Disney World following. It was, by far, the most extravagant family vacation we ever took. Honestly, I don't know what my parents were thinking. We're not week-long vacation people. We're omigod-I-just-found-leftover-days-on-our-tickets-from-last-year-so-let's-hop-in-the-car-and-camp-at-the-KOA-for-a-weekend people. (This is where I learned to do Disney cheap, folks. I was taught by the best.) But I digress. The package included a stay at the Port Orleans Resort. Naturally, living so near the real French Quarter, we were interested to see the Disney version, and it didn't disappoint. The grounds were the perfect blend of Louisiana architecture and that magical Disney veneer of cleanliness and fantasy. It was beautiful, and I couldn't imagine a more wonderful place to stay.

Had I seen the new Royal Guest Rooms, I'd have likely flipped my sh--you know.

These just came to my attention today (and I seem to be the last to know, of course), and run about $189 per night, which is not bad by Disney resort standards. Not bad, at all. More than I want to pay, of course. (We're not staying here. We're staying at a hotel near Downtown Disney. I can't remember the name, but we found it online for practically nothing. The inside is surprisingly posh, but the outside is beyond tacky, and I've nicknamed it "The Pineapple Under the Sea".)

Now, before I start in on pictures or video, let me tell you the story behind the decor. According to legend (or the hotel management. Whichever), New Orleans-native Princess Tiana (from The Princess and the Frog) has hosted all of the other Disney princesses at this hotel. Being proper guests, they've each gifted Tiana with special momentos, which she has used to decorate your hotel room. See how many you can spot!


Video: zannaland.com

Cute. Very, very cute. Now, for the actual room details. The rooms are decorated in a golds, burgundies, and blues, with "royal" touches throughout. The comforters have a crown motif, with nods to each of the princesses. The Magic Carpet lies on the floor. The Beast's enchanted ottoman is ready for your tired tootsies...you get the idea. Sweet vacation "snapshots" of the princesses having fun are framed around the room, while official-looking silhouettes of the princes hang on the wall. Grownups will enjoy the flat-screen TV, coffee pot, and fridge, and the kiddies will love the Duffy the Disney Bear: Mickey’s New Friend bedtime story that the hotel televises on a loop from 6-10pm. All ages should get a kick out of the fiber-optic "firework" show that "magically" appears on your headboard. There's even a welcome message from Tiana waiting for you when you arrive!

Photo Credit: Mousesteps

All in all, I think this is a ridiculously adorable idea. Is the room tacky as all get-out? Oh, my, yes. Would I ever stay in it? In a heartbeat. It's silly and sweet, and terribly faux-castle-Fantasyland-chic. As a kid, I would have given my right arm to stay there. As an adult, I think it would be a hoot. You don't go to Disney for its sophisticated charm. You go because it makes you feel like a kid. For just a little while, you get to be a Princess, Prince, or Pirate. A 32-year old woman doesn't look weird in a light-up tiara; she looks weird without one. A 29-year old man should be wearing cartoons on his t-shirt and an Indiana Jones fedora on his head. Dinner can come in the form of a Mickey-shaped ice cream, or be served in a restaurant that's been taken over by dinosaurs or computer-generated rats who also happen to be gourmet chefs. Why not let that childhood wonderment carry over into your hotel room? I mean, if you're already paying to stay at Disney, you should be able to stay at Disney.

Now, does anyone know where I can get a royal coupon?

I Hear the Gray Stuff Is Delicious!

Today, the Disney Parks Blog posted a sneak-peek video that gives a behind-the-scenes look into the making of the newest restaurant in Disney World's Fantasyland.

Big whoop, right?

WRONG!! This is the Be Our Guest restaurant, and the crown jewel of the lavish Fantasyland restoration! I am so excited I could burst. Now, I've never been one that just had to eat in the parks. I'm perfectly fine taking a little break and finding the nearest McDonald's, or even heading back to the hotel and fixing a sandwich there. When we do eat in the parks, it's generally quick-service between rides. Disney dining just hasn't been a huge priority...with a few notable exceptions.

If you're in Disneyland, you have to (have to) grab an order of beignets at Cafe Orleans. It's across from Pirates of the Caribbean, and worth every penny of the didn't-even-bother-to-put-it-on-the-menu price. And don't even think about sharing. You're going to want all of yours, and probably everybody else's, too. They're amazing, and this is coming from a Southern girl raised on the original Cafe du Monde. Also, I don't know what's in that vanilla dipping sauce, but I suspect crack, since I've been dreaming of it since our trip in September. Just go.

In Epcot, in the World Showcase, hie yourself to Italy and visit Via Napoli for, hands down, the best pizza you'll taste. I swear, I've never seen my picky husband so happy, and one "medium" pizza fed my entire family of five--including my, at the time, thirteen year-old garbage disposal of a brother--with everyone full to the point of slightly miserable. Best of all, the prices are almost affordable by park standards. It's on my must-eat list for future trips.

And now, I must add the Be Our Guest restaurant to the list. I have absolutely no idea what's on the menu, but I'm afraid the atmosphere is what's going to bring in the crowds, anyway. Beauty & the Beast has always been my favorite Disney movie, and the fact that I got to fall in love with a beast every day for a few months (in a non-Disney version of the musical, but still!) has only caused the story to burrow deeper into my heart. I don't know when they open, but first chance I get, I'll be their guest.

Video courtesy of the Disney Parks Blog:

Frugal Friday: Mail-Order Mickey

Photo Credit: The Disney Store

I have been to every Disney park in the country this year, but it just doesn't feel like October without Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. Thomas and I have been the past two years, and have already decided that it feels so weird to miss it that we're going back next year. MNSSHP was never intended to become a yearly thing, and never entered our minds this year...until October...and now we're both a little disoriented. Don't get me wrong--the family trip in July was amazing, and I will cherish those memories for the rest of my life because we all grew so much closer as a family. As of this week, I've started a wall collage of the photos, and I dearly hope we can all go back again together, someday. The Disneyland trip was fantastic, as well, and I would love to go back when we have more time to explore the nooks and crannies. We also got to hang out with some good friends, and you just can't put a price on that. It's just...the Halloween party has, I guess, become our tradition--our very first tradition--without our even realizing it. We just started going because it was a comfortable time of the year, and the ticket price was a lot cheaper than a regular day pass, even though you still get about eight hours in the park. Who knew that we would grow to look forward to the pumpkin displays, creepy lighting effects, or trick-or-treating through the park? I even catch myself (and Thomas, for that matter) humming the at-first-annoying-but-then-infectious "Boo To You" song that plays throughout the parade. The Haunted Mansion isn't the same without zombie makeup on the cast members, and lines aren't as interesting without cosplayers to spot. I once saw a three year-old dressed as a member of KISS. That's just not something you normally find at Peter Pan's Flight.

 

So, to ease my discombobulation at missing the party this year (I didn't even know I wanted to go!), today's Frugal Friday find is free shipping on all Disney Theme Park merchandise, now through October 25th (Tuesday, and coincidentally, the same day The Night Shift is released on DVD. How 'bout that?) with the code PARKSFREE.

 

There's a whole section dedicated to Halloween products, and another whole section that's nothing but Nightmare Before Christmas. And yeah, there's *shudder* Christmas merchandise now available, if you want to get a jump on *shudder, again* decorating the house or stuffing stockings. Prices are what you'd pay in the park, so with free shipping, it's just like souvenier shopping, but without having to figure out how to stuff everything in the suitcase. Have a great weekend!

 

 

Driving, Tunes, and Why I'll Never Be On a Game Show

Okay, I officially suck. I did get the pictures from my Disney trip, and they're really cute. They're just not on this computer, and I have no way of getting to them until later this evening. *headdesk* Soooo...I'll just leave you with an embarrassing story to tide you over until I can anti-climatically post the now over-hyped photos. Enjoy.

Thomas and I drove to Orlando. It's about an eight hour drive down some of the least scenic, most boring stretches of highway you could ever hope to never have to encounter. To pass the time, Thomas brought along his iPod, and we listened to some of the podcasts he'd been able to stockpile. When those ran out, he switched over to albums, and started to play some of the Doctor Who soundtrack. Out of utter boredom, I started trying to play "Name That Episode" with the score.

Me: Oh! That's the pirate episode!!
Thomas: No, it's the Titanic. I don't have any Matt Smith stuff on here, yet.
Me: Got ya. Okay. (Next song) Oh! Oh! Daleks in Mahattan!
Thomas: Empty Child.
Me: Shoot! Well, similar styles, I guess. (Next song) Is that something to do with cybermen?
Thomas: Erin, that's TRON...
Me:...oh...thought it sounded familiar...

So, not only do I suck at photos and Doctor Who trivia, but I apparently can't even tell the difference between Who and TRON. Turns out, though, that I'm not the only person mashing the two together. For your listening and viewing pleasure, I give you abstractvmilk's well-edited DW/TRON mash-up video. I'm especially impressed with the lip-sync. If you're not into either Who or TRON, don't worry! I'll have different stuff to play with tomorrow. Who knows? Maybe there'll even be some un-asked for, overly sold vacation photos.

Nothing a Good Mai Tai Probably Couldn't Fix

Photo Credit: Sephora

Okay. The picture round-up is currently on-going, so I'm going to have to put off any Disney tales till next week. I know; you're heartbroken, but I'm sure you'll find a way to get by.

I will say, that after three full days of sweating glowing in the hotter'n Hades beautiful Florida sunshine, I could literally feel the dirt invading my pores. I could see the clogs. That's bad. I did the best I could to combat the elements: drank lots of water, scrubbed my face at least twice a day, used tinted moisturizer instead of foundation, and tried to let my skin breathe as much as possible. It didn't matter. I am so broken out, people are mistaking me for a high schooler. Of course, I'm sure my being short isn't helping with their confusion.

As soon as I got home, I washed my face (again), and slathered on my Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque. True to form, it cleared out a significant amount of clogged pores and blackheads. Still, my face was in a state of trauma. You don't think about the wringer your skin goes through while you're laughing it up in the Happiest Place On Earth (okay, I know that's Disneyland, but same deal). We've established there's the heat and sweat and dirt...fine. There's also greasy food (which, I know, dermatologists have said that the grease you put in your stomach doesn't affect your skin...try eating pizza without getting some on your face. I dare you), drastic changes in enviroment (a/c in the car, airplane atmosphere, getting on and off rides, fog machines, wind machines, etc.), sleep deprivation, too many cokes and not enough water, little germy kids with little germy hands that touch all the same things you touch...I could go on, but you see my point? Even after the masque my skin was still screaming.

Yesterday, I happened upon Ole Henriksen's Blue/Black Berry Enzyme Mask. According to Sephora:

This potently calming blend of lavender, papaya enzyme, blueberries, and blackberries gently polishes the skin, relieving facial stress and delivering smooth results.

Well, that sounded like it might help. There was a fantastic sale, so I snapped this puppy up for only six bucks.

So, last night, after work, I put on my jammies, washed my face and pulled my hair back, opened up the jar and spread the contents all over my face. Then, I sat down to relax and watch some television.

The Good: The scent. Wow. This mask has a very strong lavender fragrance, but not a fakey, chemically one. This is real lavender, and it is extremely calming. The gel mask is downright frosty, and there are also no parabens, sulfates, or artificial colors. In fact, there's no color at all. It's clear, which also keeps you from having that whole Wicked Witch of the West thing going on.

The Bad: I had a hard time washing the mask off, and really, I couldn't tell if it did anything to my skin. I followed up with a moisturizer, partially because you should always follow a mask with a good moisturizer, and partially because my skin felt really dry. That's not a good sign when it's supposed to be a hydrating mask.

The Ugly: Normally, this is priced at $32. That's insane.

I'm going to give this another go. The directions said it could be used 2-3 times weekly, so it may just be very gentle. If nothing else, twenty minutes of inhaling lavender might relax me enough to not care about my skin anymore. I say, for six bucks, it's worth a second look. For $32, I suggest you keep your money and look elsewhere.

Final Verdict: It'll calm your nerves, but not necessarily your face. 4 out of 10.

Boredom Buster: Design Your Own Makeup Palette

I know; I promised pictures and stories from my Disney World trip...I lied. Well, only partially. I have, like, a grand total of two decent pictures on my phone, and one of them is Thomas in a fez ('cause fezzes are cool). The rest of the pictures are on my mom's camera, and it's at her house, patiently awaiting download onto my computer tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll have stuff for you then. Key word: hopefully.

In the meantime, I ran across this little deal yesterday, and it's too good to pass up. Too Faced Cosmetics has an online exclusive: you can get one of their custom palettes (regular price, $35) for $17.50 right now, plus there's free shipping with the code travel until July 25th (which I totally missed, and am now kicking myself over).

Photo Credit: Too Faced Cosmetics

I love this palette. You get to pick a blush (pink, peach, or Sun Bunny bronzer), an eye shadow duo, and either a lip gloss, mascara, glitter eyeliner, or eye shadow primer. Then you get to customize the cover and add an optional gift message. I've been searching for some pretty pinks to break up my usual peach/bronze routine, so I opted for Pinch My Petals pink blush, Totally Toasted eye shadow duo (milk chocolate and toasted almond), and I Love Myself pink Mirror Mirror lip gloss. The cover is customized with a pink fishnet stocking background and black chandeliers, and inscribed with "Erin's Pink Palette". It's uber-girly, and completely awesome. Plus, the eye shadow alone would have run $17, so for fifty cents more, I got the blush and gloss to go with. Oh--they're also sending lipstick and lip plumper samples. It's a can't lose deal.

By the way, if you're stumped for what to put in your palette, I'd suggest Sun Bunny bronzer (it's my all-time favorite, and works great on all skin tones), George & Wheezy eye shadow (icy gold and bronze pearl), and a Lash Injection mascara. Those are great shimmery but natural colors for a glowy, polished look, and you can have it all in one place.

One more awesome thing, and then I promise to quit gushing. After I placed my order, I received a phone call from a rep at Too Faced. Seems they'd run out of the lip gloss I'd originally chosen, and rather than just randomly toss in a replacement (as so many other companies would), they called to see what I'd like in its place. That really says a lot about how they value their customers, and it's very much appreciated. $17.50, Too Faced.

**UPDATE! It appears that Too Faced has discontinued this palette. The items are still available, though, so stay tuned for a review of individual pieces. Thanks!

I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends

I'm heading to Disney this weekend! This, of course, means that this week will be consumed by packing, planning, and plotting--and a lot of blog-watching. So, today, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite online places for tips, tricks, and gossip. (That, and I'm trying desperately to figure out blogger since they changed it on me...again. Please bear with me.)

For Park News and General Updates, and Overall Best Research Blog: Chip & Co.
This is a fantastic site for the latest on all things Disney. Florida, California, TV, DVD...whatever. If it is in any way involved with The Mouse, it's here. The site is constantly updated, and many posts include video for that "almost in the park" feel. Money- and time-saving advice, along with guides that tackle topics from traveling with tots through attractions for seniors.

*Runner-Up: The Disney Parks Blog
It's, again, a great stop for general information, and very user friendly. It's just, understandably, a little biased, and not so quick to help you save any money.

For Making Home In One Piece and Not Completely Broke: Surviving Disney
Really fun to read blog with great tips for handling the heat, the kids, the lines, and the cost. There are a ton of guest posts, too--including some from *gasp* Disney Cast Members!!--that give the site a community vibe; like we're all in this together.

*Runner-Up: Couponing To Disney
Technically, this is the superior blog. It's extremely well-written, informative, filled with tricks and tips, freebies, and money-saving advice. It's also constantly updated, and the author's Facebook skills are second to none. The only reason it's the runner-up is that you have to wade through posts on couponing. Yes, that's the entire point of that blog, and handled exceptionally well, but if that's not your bag (and it's not mine), you have to dig, somewhat, for all that Disney gold. Fabulous blog, though. I highly recommend it, and urge you to follow on Facebook.

Best Specialty Blog: Studios Central
Whether you can't get enough of Hollywood Studios, or think you've seen all there is to see, this blog will cure what ails you. Pages upon pages of articles, pictures, and updates will show you how the park has changed over the years, the inspirations for every tiny detail (and believe me, there's stuff you'd never have dreamed of!), and where the future of the park is headed. Beware--this site will suck you in, and you can easily lose a day drifting through the archives.

For a Quick Giggle: Disco Yeti
The tag line for this site is: "The Rants and Raves of a Broken-Down Theme Park Yeti. Yes, Really." A couple of years ago, the state-of-the-art yeti animatronic on Expedition: Everest in Disney's Animal Kingdom, for lack of a better term, broke. It stopped working in a most unfortunate position, that has left it frozen in an permanent Saturday Night Fever pose. To add insult to injury, a strobe light was added to create the illusion of movement. Poor Disco Yeti. To pass the time, the yeti keeps an insider blog of the shenanigans and goings-on in all of the parks. It's a riot.

Happy Time Wasting!

Like I Blister In the Sun: Supergoop! AcaiFusion Lip Balm SPF 30

Photo Credit: Sephora

My awesome mom is taking the family to Disney World! I'm completely excited for the trip; partly, because I'm a Disney nut, but mostly, because I get to go with my kid brother, who's thirteen, and officially the coolest age to tour the parks. He hasn't been umpteen-thousand times, so this is still a somewhat new experience for him, plus, he's finally tall enough to go on all the rides. And to pat me on the top of the head. I'm not sure how I feel about that, frankly...

Anyhoo, we're going in July. I KNOW!!! It's going to be hotter'n Hades (I'm Southern, so I'm allowed to make up my own conjunctions), but that was the best time for us all to go, so we're just going to deal with it. I, for one, have started dieting like crazy so I can get by with tank tops and shorts, and have gone on an absolute sunscreen binge. I have a heavyweight lotion for heading to the parks, an oil-free dry lotion for my face, a lightweight spray for touch-ups throughout the day, and need a high SPF lip gloss to keep my lips from blistering. Look, I'm a beach baby. I grew up in a town not 45 minutes from sugar sand. This little blogger has had many a horrid sunburn, and I'm not spending my vacation slathered in aloe vera gel, watching fireworks from the hotel window. Nosirreebob!

Okay, back to that search for a high SPF lip gloss. Years ago, I bore witness to a severe lip sunburn. Just trust me on this: it's not pretty. I swore I'd never go through that. Now, laying out by the pool, it's easy to either apply sunscreen directly to the lips, or keep a lip gloss/balm with SPF handy, or even layer. It's not as easy to do that at the Magic Kingdom. I don't know about you, but I'm normally too busy trying to figure out lines and schedules to even think about reapplying my lipstick, much less about making sure there's sunscreen layered under it or mixed in with it. Plus, there's only so much space in a totebag. I need an all in one, y'all.

Enter Supergoop! SPF 30 AcaiFusion Lip Balm ($8.50, Sephora). According to Sephora:

This three-in-one balm adds a sheer pink tint while moisturizing and protecting the lips. Shea butter provides long-lasting hydration while powerful antioxidant ingredients, including the fruit of the açaì palm, help to repair oxidation damage. Multiple sunscreen ingredients protect the lips from sunburn and photoaging.

According to me: It's clear and drying. It does protect the lips, though.

Let me back up. The balm comes in a squeeze tube with slanted applicator, and does have a sheer pink tint. If your lips have any color, whatsoever, the gloss will just look clear. It smells wonderful, though--like sunscreen mixed with berries. When I put it on, I immediately have a lovely sense memory of hanging out by the pool, and, for a few minutes, my lips feel really good and hydrated.

Then the balm dries, and brings your lips along for the ride. An optimist would say that that's just a good reminder to reapply. I'm not an optimist. I just say, "ouch", and keep on my merry little way. If I reapplied every time my lips felt dry, I'd be through the tube in a week.

As of now, it's going on the trip. I'll keep it in my pocket and apply it as often as I can, but I'll also carry another lip product with some color to it, for right before photo ops. Apparently, layering is still the name of the game.

Now, for the hard part: would I recommend this? Well, yes and no. Yes, because it does provide excellent sun protection. If you are susceptible to sunburns, or are planning a fun in the sun vacay, then yes, this should be in your arsenal. It's inexpensive and fights pre-mature sun aging. However, if you're looking for good, everyday sun protection for your lips, you really don't need SPF 30, and there much better feeling and more colorful options available. I'd go with one of those.

Final Verdict: 5 out of 10. Good protection, but that's about it.

That Mouse Is a Bad Influence

Photo Credit: MouseSurplus

Well, my productivity is shot today, and I blame my husband.

 

Thomas found this website, MouseSurplus, that sells Disney memorabilia and collectibles--but not just any collectibles. How would you like to own the FastPass entrance to Disneyland's It's a Small World? Maybe the MGM Studios Toy Story Van is more your style (fun fact: it was the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Van before the Pixar gang took it over)? Talk about taking home a piece of Disney! I, personally, have been mulling over the Who Wants To Be a Millionaire hot button from the park attraction. I think it'd look really nifty in the computer corner, plus, it actually works! 

 

The site itself was cool enough, and I spent a few minutes checking out the pretties. Then, I noticed the ebay link. Oh. My. God.

 

There were ten pages of auctions!! Be still my little Mickey-loving heart! Want a stage light prop from the Disney Store (I do)? Original Darby O'Gill press kit (Lord, I get tickled just thinking about Sean Connery singing)? How 'bout a Pirates of the Caribbean promotional pocket watch? What about a (*gasp*) seat from the Alien Encounters Magic Kingdom attraction?! 

 

Yes, some of this stuff is priced in the thousands, but there are things--many that would be considered historic--that the average person (read: ME) could afford. Now, I want to see what someone does with that monorail door that sold before I could get to it. 

Have a great weekend, folks!