Beauty Collection

I know I haven't been blogging much lately, and most certainly much less about beauty products. I have just been super busy with the kids, and a new business adventure that I decided to pursue with It Works. On a brighter note, I am still currently active with the Beauty Collection Blog. I am part of a wonder blogging team. Check out their blog for my articles (signed by Sammie). My latest article was Makeup Tips for Your Office Holiday Party. If any of you guys are local to LA, check out their local stores! They have some amazing products and join their Facebook Page. They always have an online Facebook Party every Wednesday and have tons of giveaways and advice from feature products. Check it out! =)

Random - 3 year old Twins

So recently my twin boys, Brody and Chayse have become completely obsessed with Adele's song "Someone Like You". Let me tell you the story why. My sister's boyfriend's sister, we'll call her Miranda, who has a daughter, we'll call her Samantha (for privacy's sake), who is the same age as my boys. Anyway, Miranda sends my sister a video text of Samantha singing Adel - Someone Like You and of course she shows the boys and now that's all they want to hear when we're in the car. Don't worry I took a video of it for you all to see. Super cute and hilarious, but instead of calling it Adel's song, they call it Samantha's song.

On another random note. The other day my oldest son Markus was telling Chayse that he was the "Blue Ranger". Of course Chayse disagree's and says "No, I'm Red Ranger!". Markus continues to call Chayse the Blue Ranger and Chayse finally had enough and says "shut up Markus!" LOL! I couldn't help but laugh so hard I almost peed myself! Seriously to hear one of my 3 year old's say shut up! Cute, BUT so wrong, I had to tell him don't say that, you have to say be quiet...

I guess I'll be posting more randomness with the twins more often. They are a hoot!

New Year - 2012

I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year beginning! As for me, I am just SO glad 2011 ended. Hoping that 2012 will be a better year for us, to start brand new and let go of everything negative in our lives.

Anyway, who has their New Years Resolutions written out? I do! tee hee. Of course losing weight is #1, it's always on my list and I can never be rid of it lol. I am actually on my 90 Day It Works Challenge. Hoping to lose at least 30lbs and some inches! I've already lost about 6.5" in my mid section from using the Ultimate Body Applicator. I wrapped my right side and have lost another 7"! All of this by just using the Ultimate Body Applicators. I am so stoked! Wrapping every 4th day with this amazing product. You can check out the It Works products at Sports Wraps. They also have an amazing Business Opportunity too if you guys want to check that out, email me for more info on this as well if you want (sompathb@gmail.com).

As for my other Resolutions, another being get out of debt, this one will be around for a little while as well lol. I would also love to take more trips this year, go on a cruise, be more active and just be HAPPY with what we have, and I am usually a happy person =). Life is way too short to stress the small stuff, so let's keep it moving people.

What are your New Years Resolutions??

Catching Clams again!

It's my Dad's Birthday weekend and it's that time again for us to go Clammin'! We always go to Coronado Beach and this week the weather has been really nice. Hopefully we won't get skunked! LOL. But it is fun and a great work out too! Who knew using pitch forks in the beach could work out your entire body.

Check out one of my older posts about clammin'. These clams are seriously GIAGANTIC.
Coronado Clammin'

Anyway, wish us luck tomorrow! Low tide is at 2:31 pm.

Out with the old in with the new!

Back in November 2010, my husband was laid off from work, mind you he was our only income. So since then, our lives have been a little bit of a struggle, but who isn't struggling right? Ever since the lay off, we've just been running into the wrong people and making friends with people who don't deserve our kindness and friendship. So, on a positive note, I say OUT with the old and in with the NEW! We are moving forward with our lives, and the people who have burnt their bridges will be left in the dust.

My husband and I are good people, very giving, kind and we love our family and close friends. Hopefully the New Year will bring us some better luck, who knows maybe we'll win the lottery! HA wishful thinking I know =). Anyway, I'm not trying to give you the sob story of my life. I just want to say, even though you are going through tough times, keep the people who love you near and dear. Don't let the negativity run your lives. Life is way too short to stress over something that's not even worth a glance back at. Take the rough times as a learning lesson, I know I sure will. Being positive and taking care of yourself and your family is the best way you'll get through your tough times. Keep your heads held high and keep it moving forward, because things will get better if you let it! =)

I know this is early, but I have been swamped with work and blogging for a Beauty store, but I wanted wish everyone a Happy Holidays and a Happy New Years. . . Take Care!

Renewed

So, I know I haven't been posting much of anything on here lately, but I've just been super duper busy with my new business adventure that I haven't even had time to do much of anything. I just renewed my yearly subscription to keep my domain so I guess I should keep up with the blogging =). I know I have been horrible at this lately LOL... But I promise you I will be back soon! There has just been soooooooooo much going on lately that I've neglected my blog. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Potty Training Twin Boys

I started potty training my twin boys this week, and boy it isn't fun. I mean I can totally handle the peeing accidents, but the poopage accidents make me want to barf! LOL. But I am going to be sticking to it and hopefully get these guys out of diapers soon because we all know diapers are not cheap, especially when having to buy double the amount.

For the most part, they both have been doing okay. Chayse has gotten it down a lot better than Brody, who had about 4 peeing accidents. But as the day went on Brody seemed to catch on a little bit better. I try to get them to aim for the toilet paper in the toilet, and then when they are done we do the "pee pee dance" and flush the toilet and they both say goodbye. So overall it's been going okay. I know it will take some time for them to get use to peeing in the toilet. Hopefully they catch on sooner than later!

<3

Transitioning

So I know I haven't been on my blog in forever and I want to apologize for my absence. Summer has just been really crazy for me with my son being home from school for 2 months and then my grandma's passing kind of threw a curb ball my way. I also wanted to say that I am transitioning this blog from beauty to and everything in my daily life. I do still have a beauty blog that I now host on Wordpress, Beautiful Inside and Out, but I haven't posted much on there either because I am now a part of the Beauty Collection blog team so I've been pretty busy with that. So be on the look out for some new content on this page.

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I'm Back!

So, I've been out of commission for a little bit because my computer overheated on me. Anyway, I am back, just not fully back. Summer's here, my son's out of school so I've been busy with the kiddos. Just wanted to say hello and hope everyone has a great weekend!

Also, I will slowly be transitioning this blog into an every life blog, hence the "Story of My Life" title. Don't fret, i will still have my beauty blog up just on another platform (wordpress) at Beautiful Inside and Out. Check out the beauty stuff there =)

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BlushingNoir Giveaway

lSo, I've been following BlushingNoir for a little while now and I must say she has some awesome giveaways. She also has some great reviews of a lot of products. Check out her blog if you haven't yet. On that note, she recently won a giveaway from Kayla Shevonne, who has some spectacular nail art design that she does free hand. They are amazing, if you can, please check out Kayla as well. Anyway, check out the giveaway BlushingNoir is doing below.

"I win, so  you win" - Giveaway hosted by BlushingNoir
Includes:
* Gena Tea Tree Oil
* Sally Hansen Salon Effects - Laced Up
* Ardell Lashtique
* Sinful Colors Neon Collection - 5 mini shades in a cute pouch.
* OPI Burlesque Little Teasers - 4 mini shades of Rising Star, Take the Stage, The Show Must Go On, and Ali's Big Break
* OPI Teenage Dream Mini
* OPI Black Shatter
* China Glaze Crackle Glaze - Cracked Concrete
* China Glaze Crackle Glaze - Broken Hearted
* China Glaze Crackle Glaze - Lightning Bolt
* China Glaze Crackle Glaze - Crushed Candy

Check out the link above for more details on how to enter this giveaway! Good luck and don't forget to tell her I sent you! =)

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Purple

I felt a little purple today...  So I decided to play with my 1st Edition BH Cosmetics Palette. I love this palette, it has so many pretty colors to choose from! Anyway, check out the picture below. Everything on my eyes are on the 1st Edition Palette, accept for my eye brows, top lid eyeliner and mascara.

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Mary Kay (review)

I’m always trying new products, or at least trying to try new products, if my wallet will let me. I was looking for some water/smudge proof items like mascara, eye liner and eye shadow. Mary Kay had these items I was looking for and I’ve always heard great reviews about the product line. But I was a little hesitant at first because water/smudge proof is kind of a big deal to me especially since I need these items for my Vegas trip at the end of July (you know what Vegas in July means right? Pool time!). I didn’t know how well any of this makeup will hold up. I mean would it wash off right away? Will my mascara run down my face and make me look like a hot mess? Will the mascara get all clumpy when I apply it? Would the eye shadow and eye liner smudge all over my face? Will the eye shadow even stay on? These questions were running through my mind like crazy! But, what better way to find out if these items truly are water/smudge proof like it says then to use them at the R.O.C. Race I had a few weeks ago.

Review:
First off, I was a participant in the R.O.C. (Ridiculous Obstacle Course) Race held in Del Mar on May 21st. Think Wipeout (the television show), but just not as intense. It was a lot cardio with obstacles, water and mud everywhere. The race was a blast though, loved it!

With that in mind, let me tell you, the make up actually held up pretty well.

As you all know, I always have to define my eye brows before I go anywhere, yes even for a race I felt the need to fill in my eye brows. I used the Mary Kay eyeliner in a Deep Brown, very easy to use and color was perfect. I also used the deep brown on my top and lower water lines.  I added the Cream Eye Color in Apricot Twist all over my eye lid. Love, love, love this color. It’s kind of an orangey bronze sheer color which is what I was looking for. And of course I applied the waterproof mascara.

The eye liner didn’t smudge or run, which was amazing because if it did, my eyes and brows would have looked a little freakish, like Halloween freakish. The mascara definitely held up to its waterproof name and it wasn’t clumpy during application. The Cream Eye Color also did its job well, even though it’s a sheer color, it still stayed on and gave my eyes a bright bronze summer look. After my race, my face was still intact, nothing was washed off or running down my face and I definitely didn’t come out looking like a hot mess. Score!

After the race, I'm in the middle with my makeup still intact!

What I loved best about these items were that they really did hold up very well. I loved the Apricot Twist color the most because I didn’t need a whole lot of eye makeup to brighten up my eyes. I could definitely use it as an everyday quick wear. The mascara was a triple score because I am very picky about my mascara. It was waterproof, smudge proof and it also lengthened my already long lashes. The eye liner was perfect, it didn’t smudge and the color was perfect. I would totally recommend these items to any of my friends willing to try them.

<3 Sammie

Tropical - Blues, Green and Beige (tutorial)

Since summer is coming and the weather has been semi nice (I say that because the weather in Southern California has been pretty funky lately), I wanted to do a Tropical look with some blues, green and beige. It might be a little dark for some of you guys, but don't forget that I am really tan so I do opt to go a wee bit darker. I also like to use shimmery eye shadows because they work best with my skin tone. So check out below for a tutorial. Enjoy!

Step One:
I always have my eye brows defined in the first step, force of habit. Primer first, here I used E.L.F.'s Eyelid Primer. Then I went ahead and used the Beige/Goldish color and a Medium Blue color  from my 1st Edition BH Cosmetics palette. 

Step Two:
BLEND! This is where you blend your Beige and Blue colors. Once you're satisfied, add in the Green color and BLEND. Notice how I didn't cover up my Beige color? I went about 1/4 of the way from the inner corner of my eye and applied green all the way to the edge of my eye. You can also use your finger to blend. Again all of these colors are from my 1st Edition BH Cosmetics Palette.

Step Three:
Now, once you've blended your medium blue, green and beige, add a Darker shade of blue to the outer corner of your eye and blend about half way through your crease. Here I used more of a dark green blue color. Very pretty color, again from my 1st Edition BH Cosmetics palette.

Step Four:
Add your highlight color under your eye brows. Here I used Avon's mineral in Bronze Stone (I love this color, can't get enough of it, I always use it as my highlighter color). Then of course add your finishing touches, eye liner, mascara, then dust the underneath your lower water line with the same colors you used for the look. When I am using bright colors like this i try not to go overboard with thick eye liner because I want to showcase the colors. For my eye liner I used Mary Kay in Black (same for my eye brows) and my mascara I used L'Oreal's Volumnious in Carbon Black. Voila! You're done!

Picture Of the Day

So I know I haven't posted in a while, I've been busy trying to keep up with the Facebook Group and the Wordpress Blog. Anyway, I just wanted to share my POTD (picture of the day). I used mostly Eye Kandy Cosmetics to achieve this bronze summer look. I used their minerals in Sugar and Spice for my base and then used there Caramel for my countour. I also mixed Candy Corn and Black Bart and used that as an eye liner. For my lower water line and eye brows I used Mary Kay's eye liner in Dark Brown. Hope you like it!

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"IT" Girl Search

So, I entered into the IT Girl search hosted by Refinery 29 Inc for Smashbox Cosmetics. I wish I would have seen the email earlier because then I would have entered in it earlier. Anyway the contest ends on May 25, 2011, but the finalists will be picked on May 10, 2011 and will be picked by the public. I hope that you all could go to IT Girl and vote for me, I'd really appreciate it. You will have to log into your Facebook in order to vote.  So please hop on over and vote for me!

500 Members Giveaway

As you all know I do have a Facebook group page, which is of course open to anyone and everyone, so please come and join us. We are at 500 members! We got there so quickly, it's amazing how much love and support I feel in that group. I just wanted to thank everyone who is in the group and who has also stayed in the group. Everyone is so helpful and knowledgeable, whether it's about makeup or hair. Anyway, to the point, because we have reached 500 members I am hosting a giveaway. Not just any giveaway, but a HUGE giveaway. Check out the details below.

I will be posting a picture of everything together once I get these products in.
I also try to make my giveaways fairly easy to enter. When I get in more products I will also be starting some contests such as makeup looks and what not. So if you have any suggestions on contests, please email me.



500 Members Giveaway Details

Dates: Ends May 30, 2011

What's in it?
Tons of fun stuff :-). But to be more precised, here's a list and description of what is in this awesome giveaway:

Haircare: Frederic FekkaiAdvance Brilliant Glossing Kit, 6 items total (Beauty Collection)

  "Inspired by nature with its winning formula containing olive oil, Brilliant Glossing now features encapsulated technology that helps deliver even reflective shine from root to tip, and refreshes your shine as you comb your hair for brilliant hair throughout the day."

Makeup Brushes: Sigma Naughty in Black Travel Kit, 7 brushes total (Sigma Beauty)

" The Sigma Makeup travel kit Naughty in Black contains 7 essential brushes to achieve a flawless look on the go. Take Naughty in Black to your favorite travel destination or keep it in your purse for a quick touch-up during the day or a night out. All brushes are individually stored in a stylish black clutch equipped with a convenient pouch to carry all your must-have makeup items."

Makeup: 

- BH Cosmetics 2nd Edition Palette (BHCosmetics)

"Sashay down the street in a glimmering color fantasy! You'll create that and so much more with the exciting Second Edition 120 Color Eye Shadow Palette. Every new shade is a tiny treasure just waiting for your vivid imagination. Explore beautiful sea foam greens and luminous pinks. Mix them with impossibly rich rubies and shimmery golds. One hundred and twenty dreamy, versatile colors feel light and lovely on your skin. They're double-stacked in an elegant, glossy, black 9" x 6" hard case."

- Shimmer Lip Gloss Collection, 5 lip glosses total (E.L.F.)

"Shimmer and shine with this dazzling assortment of Shimmer Glosses. Mix and match colors to create your own custom blended shade or pick your favorite individual color to reflect your personal style. The satin smooth formula glides on easily to instantly hydrate lips for a beautiful long-lasting shine."

Sun Safety: 5th Edition Sun Safety Kit, 11 products total (Sephora)

"Sephora and The Skin Cancer Foundation are proud to present the fifth edition of the Sun Safety Kit. One of Sephora's most popular sets, this year's mix includes past favorites and new products that we can't resist. The bonus tote bag is both travel and beach-friendly. You'll also get a Sun Safety Tip Card. It's everything you need for sun-safe fun this summer"

Gift Card: $25.00 (Sephora)

How to enter:

1.) "Like" our Beautiful Inside and Out Facebook Group. I will be posting this giveaway link on there daily. One like equals one entry.

2.) Subscribe to my blog, Beautiful Inside and Out. You will receive 5 one time entries. YOU MUST SUBSCRIBE to Beautiful Inside and Out AND comment on the 500 Members Giveaway to let me know that you have subscribed, or else your entry will not count! (If you are already subscribed, please just leave your name under the comment section. Also, if you do not wish to share your full name, just a first name and the initial of your last name is fine.)

3.) Become a follower on my blog through GFC (google friend connect), Breen Life. Please make sure you comment on the Breen Life 500 Member Giveaway (it's easier for me to track if it is commented on both blogs separately) with your GFC name and you'll receive 5 one time entries. For those of you who are already followers, you'll automatically be entered unless you email to let me know you decline being in this giveaway. If you don't comment on Breen Life's 500 Member Giveaway, your entry will not count!
4.) Share this giveaway on your blog and you'll receive 5 one time entries. If you do share this on your blog, please comment with a link back to your page on this giveaway to let me know that you have shared.

All of these items were purchased solely by myself. I will choose a winner via Random.org at the end of the giveaway date. When we have a winner, I will email that person and they will have 2 days to respond. If I don’t receive a response within 2 days I will choose a new winner. Once the winner has acknowledged and accepted their prize I will post it on our Facebook Page, Beautiful Inside and Out and on Breen Life.

**This giveaway is open to EVERYONE** If the winner is not from the U.S. Please allow 15-30 for shipping. If the winner is from the U.S. please allow 7-10 business days for shipping.

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Eye Kandy Winner

Hey all, I just wanted to thank everyone who participated in the Eye Kandy Giveaway! I had about 250 entrants. It was awesome. But we do have a winner and she has accepted! So congrats to Linda from Escondido. I hope you enjoy your goodies! Don't worry we have plenty of giveaways, just check out my giveaway page to see what else I have going on.

<3 Sammie

Brown and Bronze Look

So I was a little bored today and my roommate asked me to do her makeup because she was going out for a friends birthday. Of course I said yes, I will take all of the practice I can get, even though some say I am already good at what I can do, I just love to play. Anyway, today I did a bronze gold color with a reddish brown color on her. She is a light skin complexion so any color would look fabulous on her.

 

It's kind of hard to see in the pictures, because my cell phone camera has been acting funky and was not focusing right so the pictures are a little blurry.

The products I used today were Avon's Smooth Mineral in Bronze Stone, I love this color by the way, it's nice and light and shimmery. The contour color I used was also Avon's Smooth Mineral in Russet Rock, this color is awesome, it's kind of a mix between a dark brown with a reddish clay color. Then I added MAC's pigment in a bronze golden color, I say this because I don't know what the actual  name of the color is but it's very pretty and shiny. I also used Maybeline's Stiletto liquid eye liner for her top eyelid and Avon's Ultra Luxury eye liner for her top and bottom water lines. For mascara I used L'Oreal's Voluminous. Anyway, hope you like it!

<3 Sammie

500 Members

I have a Facebook Group page, Beautiful Inside and Out,  which I am trying to get us to 500 members to do this incredibly huge giveaway! Our page has about 350 members right now, and I have been giving subtle hints about what will be in the giveaway. Once we hit 500 members, I will definitely post everything in the giveaway in detail. But for now, we need to reach 500 members. So please come and join us, we are open to everyone, men and women. Everyone in the group is so wonderful with helping each other answer questions on products or product advice and reviews. It’s such a great group and I am so thankful to have all 350 members in the group so far and I am hoping it will grow. Anyway, come check us out, if you have any questions for me please feel free to contact me, just click on the contact link above.


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Beauty Collection

I had a $10 gift certificate from Beauty Collection,  and I ordered Smashbox's Photo Finish and an Under Eye Brightener. I haven't used these items yet, but cannot wait to. I just wanted to give my two cents about how easy my ordering process was. The website is very easy to use, and my package came fast! I cannot stress enough how well my items were packaged, they were fit snug into a box filled with little Styrofoam "peanuts" so nothing was broken or out of place. My order came within 5 days, and shipping is free with orders over $40, plus you get a free sample. My receipt came in this nice black pamphlet envelop with a free sample of Tekkai's Technician Color Care and a coupon for 10% off my next order (I love getting free samples and coupons!). They also have so many different awesome products, which I will try when I get the chance to browse through their website again. There's all sorts of makeup, skincare, haircare, mani & pedi, even items for men, and much more.  They also have tons of giveaways if you follow their Facebook Page or Twitter, I mean who doesn't love giveaways? They also have a great Blog where you can get tips and information, someone is always there and ready to answer all of your questions. Overall, I love Beauty Collection and I am looking forward to ordering more products from them! Thank you for giving a great online shopping experience. So, on that note, don't forget to check out their Blog, Facebook and Twitter, just click on the links.


<3 Sammie