Kushy Feet and Lovely Legs! #Kushyfoot #CocoaBrownTan

Press Samples.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted after a weekend of intense shopping! I didn't have to fight anyone over the last hit toy of the season, or anything like that, thankfully!  If you were out and about this weekend, maybe your feet and legs were hot and tired, too.  I want to tell you about some things that have saved my feet and made my legs look better than ever!

A Long Time Ago, In A Galaxy Far, Far Away...

Hello, Fireflies!

It's time again for the Sunday Stamping challenge!  Today's theme is 'Favorite Sci-Fi Movie or TV Show."  I mixed a little glitter, a little stamping, and a little free-hand writing to come up with today's homage to an oldie, but a goodie that is having a comeback really soon...

A Soft Place to Sit #coccyxpillow

Press Samples.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I spend a lot of time sitting at my computer.  I'm blogging, or doing Facebook, or playing games, or, my favorite - shopping.  I have spent a lot of time this "Black Friday" checking out all the amazing sales!  Instead of getting sore feet from walking around the stores, my tushie gets sore from sitting! Luckily, I have two cushions to tell you about that might help you if you get sore buttocks, too.

BBC November Challenge - Red, Yellow, and Orange! #bbcchallenge

Hello, Fireflies!

Here in the US, today is known as Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year.  It's also the day that it is socially acceptable to recognize that the holidays are here, and to start decorating!  So, while I'm still thinking of Fall, and Fall colors like the ones for today's BBC Challenge, I'm interpreting them in a holiday way!

Smell Delicious! #myvianature

Press Samples.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Happy Thanksgiving!  If we're lucky, today is a day filled with good smells.  Why shouldn't we smell good, too?

Greyscale Nails

Hello, Fireflies!

Today's post finishes out this month's NCC's theme of Monochrome.  I just couldn't resist doing the ultimate monochrome nailart - greyscale.  But, with a glittery twist!

Men's* Gift Guide #jewelryyorganizer #CareWares #shaving #liveinfinitely #ballroomdancing

Press Samples.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

My husband is incredibly hard to shop for.  I know, in general, what a lot of his favorite things are - books, video games, comics - but I couldn't tell you which particular game he wanted, or which books he didn't already have.  So, over the last 20 years, we've developed a system for the "big" gift of the season.  I ask him what he wants, and then we go buy it together.  That way, he gets exactly what he wants.  He then wraps his own gift and puts it under the tree!

I do like to get him smaller things, often surprises, that I think he'll like.  I picked a few things I think many men would like to get as a gift... and maybe some women, too!

Clearly The Treatment for Luminous Skin #AvantiRx

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

As a woman over 40, I fully expected to be dealing with skin aging issues - dullness, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation.  I didn't expect to still be dealing with pimples and blemishes.  I felt like an alien - an old broad with teenage zits.  My first reaction was to deal with the pimples the same way I did when I was a kid - drying tonics.  Sure, some of them work as spot treatments, but drying out all of my skin is bad.  Now I know that my oily skin still needs moisture, and that the balance of oil - along with knocking out the pimple-causing bacteria - is the way to keep my skin looking better over the long term.

It's so FLUFFY, I could die!

Hello, Fireflies!

Today's Sunday Stamping theme is, "It's So Fluffy!" A celebration of fluffy and cuteness!

Scrub-a-dub-dub For My Makeup Brush! #ScrabShell #ScrubShell

Press sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Not so long ago, really, I only knew about using sponge applicators to apply eyeshadow.  I actually remember have one fall apart on me, and I had no idea how I was ever going to use that shadow again!  Silly me.

Am I A Diva? #DivasNeverAge

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

A Diva is originally the name for the main female singer in an opera company.  According to Urban Dictionary, it's also a bitch who needs to get her own way, who is rude and belittles people.  Hmm.  I kept scrolling, and found another definition I liked better:  "a person who exudes great style and personality with confidence and expresses their own style and not letting others influence who they are or want to be."  Ok, I'm cool with that.  And, I'm cool with not aging, either.  So, maybe, this Divas Never Age serum is for me!

Glammed Up! with #Beneleaf #Buxom and #Arvazallia #curlsdefined

The Beneleaf Tweezers, Arvazallia Curl Cream, and NARS liner are Press Samples.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Last week, I went with my husband and some friends to a Drag Show - and, being that it was my first time, I wanted to get a little glammed up! Keep reading if you want to see my look for the Sunday Brunch show at Hamburger Mary's!

Pink Splatter

Hello, Fireflies!

Time for the third monochrome nailart of the month!  This week, I chose pink, and it got very messy!

Peels & Petals - an eye gel that feels like a peel. #VITAMINCEYEGEL

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

For most of my life, my eyes have been a bit hidden behind my glasses.  I never really gave them much thought beyond a bit of shadow and mascara.  They did what they were supposed to do, and that was fine by me.

Now that I'm a little older, I find myself paying a little more attention to them.  I like using shimmery shadows that can sometimes make old eyes look even older, and I also like more dramatic looks that bring attention to my eyes.  This has also meant paying attention to the skincare I use to keep my eyes looking their best!

Zap Itchiness and Pain with Zim's

Press Samples.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

If you haven't heard of Zim's, I reviewed their original Crack Creme a while back.  It's actually more of a liquid than a creme.  Today, I'd like to show you their Advanced Crack Creme, which is a creme; and their Max-Freeze, which is a gel.  Something for e'erebody!

Picasso-esque?

 Hello, Fireflies!

Today's Sunday Stamping challenge is to get a little abstract and find our inner Picassos.  Which is pretty funny to me, because most stamps I have are pretty symmetrical. So, I decided to show you a look that is a bright, bold color combination with a funky pattern, and hope for the best.

Stop! Showertime! #Ulteri

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I'm usually a morning shower person.  More than the smell of coffee, it's that rush of warm water, the heady scent of my shower soaps and shampoos, and the massage of the showerhead that get me going in the morning.  I can't *stand* anemic showers.  I just don't feel clean - and if I'm trying to wash my hair, then forget it.  I have so much hair that if there's no water pressure, that shampoo is staying put.

Skin-tightening StriVectin

Hello, Fireflies!

One reason I love writing this blog is getting to tell you about all different kinds of products.  From the simplest basics, to cutting edge scientific breakthroughs, from national brands to little Indies, there are so many interesting things to learn about and try.  One brand I've been introduced to this year is StriVectin.  Their product line is based on NIA 114 - an ingredient with a little name but with big results.

Airbrushed and Blue! #LuminessAir #YBCosmetics #LoracAlterEgo

Luminess Air and Youngblood mascara are Press Samples.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I love having fun with makeup, and I have to tell you, this was probably the most fun I've had in a while.  I was so excited to try my first airbrush makeup application, and blue colors are some of my favorite funky fun colors to wear.

Purple Creme, Sparkle, and Stamp

Hello, Fireflies!

Time for the next monochromatic mani!  Last week, I had the blues.  This week, I'm in a purple haze...

Magnesium for Muscles #earthnatura

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

When I'm teaching, I'm standing up for hours, and walking around the room. I am pretty energized by the energy of the classroom, so I don't notice how sore my legs are getting until I get home and get a chance to plop on the couch!  Sometimes, my muscles ache and twitch so much that I can't even get a good night's rest afterwards.  I would have to take pain relievers, but they wouldn't always address the muscle twinges. Then, I discovered magnesium oil.

Apply, Rinse Off, Banish Blemishes - ACT! #bauananaturals

Press Sample. All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Ugh, pimples.  I never thought I'd be dealing with them this late in the game, but I am.  And the struggle is real to find products that work, don't over-dry my aging skin, and that I can incorporate easily into my skincare routine.

The Only Ice I See Is In My Drink...

Hello, Fireflies!

Today's Sunday Stamping challenge is, "Snow & Ice."  Ha.  hahahahaha.  It's been in the 90's this week in Florida.  We've had record-breaking temperatures for November.  Snow and Ice.  Well, about the only place I could have that is on my nails, so here goes!

Beauty is Pain...or at Least A Bit Uncomfortable!

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Have you heard the saying, "Beauty is pain"?  I always associated that saying with extreme exercise or plastic surgery.  I'd never experienced that before I tried this intense peel from OZ Naturals!  Was it worth it?

Cleansing and Toning with Michael Todd #clearskin #ultabeauty

Press Samples.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I used to not give much thought to cleaning my face.  I may have used bar soap, maybe whatever was in the shower.  I know, I know.  Now that I'm older, with aging, but still oily skin, I've done a 180 and am obsessed with finding solutions to my particular skin issues.  I want to have smooth, blemish-free skin that looks healthy and radiant.  One system that helps me out is from Michael Todd Organics.

No Stink with a Salt Stone! #crystallinesalts

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I admit, I was a little nervous about testing a natural deodorant.  I had a friend in grad school that used natural deodorants, and she always smelled awful.  So, before I switched from my 'extra strength' deodorant/antiperspirant to this, I did some research on crystal deodorants.  And, I picked a week when I was off from school and wouldn't be seeing as many people!

All Blue, All The Time

Hello, Fireflies!

Wow, it's November already.  I wish it felt like it a little bit here in Florida, but the temps are still in the high 80's and we're breaking record temps.  Maybe a little splash of blue will cool me off...

Colour Pop-a-Palooza

Hello, Fireflies!

I have a small addiction to Colour Pop! I love their soft, squishy eye shadows and their intense and pigmented lippies.  I thought I'd share a few swatches and a couple of looks I've done with these beauties.  Warning, many pictures ahead!

When is Clay Gold? #bentoniteclay

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

There is something special about clay.  It cools, soothes, and cleanses, draws toxins and debris out of pores, and can make insect bites and stings feel better.  I am a true believer in the power of a clay facial mask!

Sunday Stamping: Red and Black

Hello, Fireflies!

The day after Halloween is the day to start putting up Christmas stuff, right?  I'm not quite ready to do that, but today's challenge of red and black is starting to get me in the mood!  I picked a glowy, glittery red that is holiday-ready!