Lit from Within: 2014
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Wednesday, December 31, 2014

NYE Nude Nails

Hello, Fireflies!

Happy NYE! Whether you're going out and partying, or bringing in the New Year with the TV, you can still have fabulous nails, right?  For me, the trend was nude, with a little (or a lot) of bling!  I reached into the vault to bring up some looks you might want to try to ring in your 2015.

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

My Current "Flawless Face" Routine with Cover F/X, Cara Cosmetics, and Yalmeh #Yalmeh #CoverFX, #CaraCosmetics


Products provided for review.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I love testing lots of different makeup and skincare, but lately, I have found my self reaching for these 5 things when I want to make sure that my face looks the best that it can. 

I don't like a full-coverage makeup, usually, because I think it looks weird to not have any texture in the face, but I think that you could definitely add more coverage, especially with the foundation, if you wanted more coverage.

Monday, December 29, 2014

Seaweed...It's Not Just For Sushi Anymore! #seaweed




Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I have decided that, along with my first love, nail art, my new addiction is finding new (and often unusual) ways to explore beauty.  I never thought that I would love finding strange things to mix up and stick on my face, but here I am!

One of my new favorite brands is InstaNatural, a local Orlando, FL organization, that make all manner of beauty products.  I've put their stuff on my face and hair and body, and it all works great, and usually smells good.

Well, if you like the smell of seaweed, then this smells good, too...

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Never Boring Nude NYE Nails


 Hello, Fireflies!

Today's AIS challenge is New Years' Nails.  I didn't have much time to prepare these, since I was traveling all day from visiting my family for Christmas, so I started with what I already had on - Azature Diamond Opal. 

Saturday, December 27, 2014

A Matcha Made in Heaven - Matcha Green Tea, That Is! #KissMeOrganics


Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!

This story really starts with Target and Starbucks.  The husband and I used to go on regular Sunday dates to our local Target, and when they put in a Starbucks, it seemed like it would just enhance our date - sharing a nice cup of something sweet, strolling through the aisles...

Except, hubby doesn't drink coffee, so we couldn't share that.  We got a few fruit things, but the calories added up fast.

Then, we found the Green Tea Latte, and the skies opened up, a ray of light shon down, and angels sang.  And now, we can make them at home with Kiss Me Organics Organic Green Tea Matcha!

Friday, December 26, 2014

Instanatural Solutions for Hair, Body, and Face! #deadseamask


Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I'm back again with some more reviews of what is quickly becoming a favorite brand of mine - InstaNatural.  And I have some of my fave things from them, too - hair stuff, and a masque.. and a strange oil that is pretty unique!

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, Fireflies, to all who celebrate!

And to those who don't, happy Thursday!

I love doing nails for my friends, and I had the opportunity to do some Christmas/Winter-themed ones for them this year:

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Tacky Christmas Sweater Nails!

Hello, Fireflies!

It's almost Christmas!  It's too hot here in Florida to actually wear a tacky Christmas sweater, so I did a version on my nails.


Tuesday, December 23, 2014

What Are You Using To Remove Your Makeup? Natracare #organicbeauty


Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!

The more I get into makeup, it seems that the lazier I become in taking it off.  I have become a huge fan of the makeup-removing wipe!  I've tried lots of different kinds, at lots of different price-points, but this is the first one I've come across that was organic.

Monday, December 22, 2014

My Holiday Hair Is More Festive With Foxbrim Total Hair Repair Oil #foxbrim


Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I am in desperate, desperate need of a haircut.  I can feel that about 3-4 inches of my length is damaged, tangled, wiry.  I am sad.  It's really hard to grow curly hair sometimes, because it just takes forever, and it's so dry that it does break a lot.

If I could glue my ends together, I would.  Instead, I'm turning to hair oils and treatments like Foxbrim Total Hair Repair Oil.

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Stamping Snowflakes

Hello, Fireflies!

Today's Adventures In Stamping challenge was about Christmas.  I thought it would be fun to take one "holiday" - Friday the 13th - and turn it into another one!

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Dotty McDotterson Dress


Hello, Fireflies!

I've been remiss in the Dots theme of this month's Nail Challenge Collaborative.  To make up for it, my nails today are VERY.LARGE.DOTS.

Friday, December 19, 2014

A Refreshing Retinol Surge! #bodymerry


Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!

I'm not really a detail-oriented person.  I have to make to-do lists, or I forget stuff.  Sometimes, I'll just look at what appears to be a mountain of skincare, throw up my arms in defeat, and go to bed, pulling the covers over my (dirty, dirty) head.

But, the other day, I actually found myself looking at that skincare and looking forward to putting on my moisturizer.  What? Yep.  I washed my face, applied my fave serum, and happily reached for my new happy-moment moisturizer, Body Merry Retinol Surge Moisturizer.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Polish and Glitter That ... PEELS OFF?! Yes, With Kid (and Adult-safe) Bo-Po Polish! #bo_po

Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!

I'm way too excited about today's blog post.  When I was a kid (many eons ago,) the only makeup I was allowed to play with was Tinkerbell.  I thought it was the cat's pajamas.  And now, Worx Toys has brought back the best Tinkerbell products, and made them even better - including Bo-Po nail polish - the polish that peels off!

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Is Your Skin Moody? It May Need Natural Skincare From The Moody Sisters!

Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!

After all the stress that inevitably comes this time of year, maybe your skin becomes Moody like mine has.  The Moody Sisters have a natural skincare line designed to help all moody skins!

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Pure Body Naturals Hyaluronic Acid Serum #HyaluronicAcidSerum


Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Serum? I hardly even know 'em!  New take on an old joke, and here's a new take on a fave serum! Pure Body Naturals Hyaluronic Acid Serum, that is. If you like your skin to look younger and plumper, then this type of serum is king.

Monday, December 15, 2014

BY Framesi Hydro-Gel Strong - But Not Crunchy Way To Hold Your Hair! #beautycarechoices


Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!

Sorry today's post is so late! Today was graduation at the University, and I had some some students graduating - and a few celebrations yesterday and today.  I actually used the BY Framesi Hydro-Gel Strong I'm reviewing today both days, too, because I wanted my hair to look as good as possible.

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Reindeer Games

Hello, Fireflies!

I know, it's supposed to be Stamping Sunday, but I just couldn't.  It was supposed to be about stamping your Christmas List, and I had a brain fart.  Plus, this week has been absolutely crazy, so I decided to forgive myself and show y'all another mani I did that I really liked.


Saturday, December 13, 2014

There's Nothing More Beautiful Than A Great Smile! #TartarScraperkit



Dental Tartar Scraper and Remover Set By Majestic Bombay
Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I always say that the best makeup is your smile, and taking care of your teeth can help you feel good about it!  Now, I'm not a dentist, and I don't play one on TV, but I think this Dental Tartar Scraper and Remover Set By Majestic Bombay can really help make your teeth look and feel their best!

Friday, December 12, 2014

What Do You Get For the Girl Who Has ALL The Makeup? A Book With Ideas Of How To Use It!

Product Provided For Review.  All Opinions Are My Own

Hello, Fireflies!

It's no secret that I love makeup.  I have a particular weakness for lipstick.. and eyeshadow palettes.  I go cuckoo for a new neutral palette, or bold colors, or great summer colors, or, well, almost anything.  Last time I was in Walgreens, I picked up a couple of $3 LA Girl palettes, and I also picked up the Lorac Mega Pro eyeshadow palette, so it runs the gamut.

But if you're someone like me that owns ALL the eyeshadows, sometimes it can be daunting to figure out what to do with them all! And, here's where this amazing book comes in.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

OMG Nail Strips!

Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!

You could say that nail art is my first love in the beautysphere.  I started blogging because I wanted to share my nails, and talk polish, and polish-related accessories (points if you heard that in Hank Hill's voice.) 

That being said, when I was approached by OMG Nail Strips to check out their decals, I wasn't on board right away.  I mean, isn't that cheating?

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Reviva Labs Nasolabial Fold + Multi-Peptide Cream - a Great Cream With A Weird Name #RevivaLabs

Product Provided For Review.  All Opinions Are My Own.
Hello, Fireflies!

I'm learning the lingo of skincare.  I can say, "hyaluronic acid" three times, fast.  I am realizing the benefits of Niacinamide, and Retinols, and have tried more plant oils than you can shake a stick at.

So, when I was asked if I wanted to try Reviva Labs new Nasolabial Fold + Multi-Peptide Cream, my first response was, "Naso-what?" Maybe, yours was too.  I'm glad I can now pronounce it and I'm really glad I tried it, because now I have a fighting chance against those stubborn deep wrinkles around my nose (naso) and lips (labial)!

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

A Rose Clay Masque By Any Other Name Would Not be Oblige by Nature

Product provided for review. All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!

Welcome to another episode of, 'Nidia is a Masque Addict'.  Today, we get a little fancy with a French Rose Clay mask with a DIY spin.  If you have sensitive skin, or if you like to customize your skincare, you may want to keep reading!

Monday, December 8, 2014

Scarred for Life? Maybe not, with Body Merry Stretch Marks and Scars Defense Cream #bodymerry


Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Having been around this worldy block a few times, my skin isn't as pristine as it once was.  I have some stretch marks and scars that I was tired of seeing, so when I got the opportunity to try out Body Merry's Stretch Marks & Scars Defense Cream, I figured it was worth a try.

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Christmas Card Memories


Hello, Fireflies!

Today's prompt for Sunday Stamping is a childhood winter memory.  In my childhood home, the kitchen 'doors' were two shutters - one on either side.  They were never closed, so I don't really think of them as doors; they were more decorative.  Every year, my mom would send and receive so many Christmas cards, and the ones she received were all tucked into a slat on the kitchen shutters.  By the time Christmas arrived, the shutters would be crammed full with greetings of all the people she'd kept in touch with through the years - some of them for decades!

Saturday, December 6, 2014

The Vault - Glitter Ideas

 Hello, Fireflies!

I haven't done very many holiday nail looks this season, but one thing I can always make time for is a little glitter to feel festive!  I have a few looks I pulled from the vault to share with you today.

Friday, December 5, 2014

Exfolimate - The Cutting Edge of Exfoliation #exfolimate


Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.
 Hello, Fireflies!

I like having smooth skin as much as the next gal.  I've tried body scrubs, polishes, and brushes.  But I'd never seen anything like the Exfolimate.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

KISS Clunky Curlers Goodbye with the KISS Instawave


Product provided for review. All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

And now, for something a little different, a new fun gadget for professional curly 'dos at home.  Curious about how this fun tool works, and how I used it with my already curly hair?  Read on!

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Dress Dotticure


Hello, Fireflies!

Two posts today! I needed a little nail art in my life, so I wanted to show you this dotticure I did to match a dress.  I've used this dress as an inspiration for a stamped nail look before, too.  It's one of my fave dresses.

Teadora Body Polish is like Waking Up In A Rainforest. Really.

Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

In beauty, when we talk about priming the skin, we're talking about getting it ready for what's to come - the application of makeup, say.  In psychology, we also use the word priming to mean that what happens first influences what's to come.  So, when I was asked if I wanted to review Teadora's Rainforest At Dawn Body Polish, I thought about how much I loved Teadora's Rainforest at Dawn Nourishing Lip Butter and said yes, yes, yes!  Was I going to have a great experience again?  Read on...

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

My Oh Mia Adora!


Hello, Fireflies!

I love long lashes.  I love batting them flirtatiously, I love how they make my eyes look bigger and more dramatic.  I love how they look with a bold cat eye.  If you can't get the look you want with regular mascara, and you're not a fan of falsies, maybe it's time to try a lash extension system like Mia Adora!

Monday, December 1, 2014

Sweetsation Therapy’s Bio’Sensiya MultiVitamin Night Time Serum ...and polkadots!



Hello, Fireflies!

It's serum time again!  This serum has a long name - Sweetsation Therapy’s Bio’Sensiya MultiVitamin Night Time Serum - and a long list of ingredients that are great for your skin.   Keep reading for my review and some nail art inspired by it's fiery packaging and uplifting scent!

Sunday, November 30, 2014

"Art Nouveau" Stamping


 Hello, Fireflies!

Today's Sunday Stamping challenge is Art Nouveau.  Guess we're getting fancy all up in here.  I had to Google it. 

Saturday, November 29, 2014

The Phantom Tollbooth


 Hello, Fireflies!

Today, I have my last book-inspired challenge mani to share with you.  I couldn't resist picking my husband's favorite book, The Phantom Tollbooth.  He even got his picture taken with it for a READ poster for his University's library!

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

One Direction Limited Edition Beauty Collection and Kits! #makeupby1D, #thelookscollection, #markwins



Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!

I have So.Much.Win to show you today.  Remember when I told you about the first One Direction kits?  These are so much better.  Buttery, soft shadows, UV-reactive glitters and lippies, and bright mascaras!  There's a lot of pictures, and swatches, too!

Color me Fall #ChallengeYourNailArt #FallingForNailArt


Hello, Fireflies!

Today's Challenge Your Nail Art prompt is for Fall Colors.  I did this mani for a nail group I'm in, for a Fall Glitter look, and thought it would work for today's challenge, too.  I love the gold and red together, with a stripe of black.


I laid down a base color of Wet 'n Wild Pot of Gold, and then added Candy Lacquer Big MacIntosh to the bottom 2/3rd of the nail. 


Swish of red and black striper, popped on a red rhinestone, and Bob's your uncle, and Fanny's your aunt.


Bottle shot:  Wet 'n Wild Pot of Gold, Candy Lacquer Big Macintosh, and nail art stripers in red and black.

Bottle shot:  Wet 'n Wild Pot of Gold, Candy Lacquer Big Macintosh, and nail art stripers in red and black.

What are your favorite Fall colors?






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