Mother's Day Flowers

Hello, Fireflies!

I'm not a mother myself, and this year, my mom is very ill.  I'll be visiting her today.  She is a master at gardening, with a vast knowledge of how to grow almost anything.  She loves flowers and plants, and I remember growing up with huge flower gardens, and the best home-grown tomatoes on the planet.

Reviva Revisited - New and Improved Night Cream! #RevivaLabs

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

A little over two years ago, I got a chance to try Reviva's earlier incarnation of this cream-with-the-long-name.  Now, it's back, and better!

Fields of Sparkly Flowers

Hello, Fireflies!

There's no official challenge for today's Sunday Stamping, so I just picked one that I did recently that I liked!  Can't go wrong with glitter and flowers, in my book.

A Rose That Smells Sweet, and Helps Sensitive Skin

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I have another Valentia product review for you today.  I can't help it - I'm really a big fan! Even my husband has asked me to repurchase their Scrub For Men, and I have to admit, his skin has never looked better.  If you have sensitive skin, I tested out their Royal Rose Hydrating Serum, and I'd love to tell you about my experience with it.

Alien Flowers

Hello, Fireflies!

There doesn't seem to be a particular theme for this week's AIS challenge, so I went dealer's choice and picked one from the vault that...well, I'm not sure what it is, really.

OIls for Leg Pain? #legcramprelief

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I've had a blood clot in my leg before, and I often get soreness and swelling in my legs as a result of that and general activity (or inactivity, as the case may be..) I don't want to always be taking pain relievers, so I've been looking at natural topical treatments for when the pain is mild.  Usually, I get relief from a magnesium oil spray, so I'm familiar with the concept.. but I was skeptical that I could get relief from a blend of essential oils.

Can't Wait For (Stamping) Spring!

Hello, Fireflies!

Today's Sunday Stamping challenge is, "I can't wait for Spring!"  For me, Spring immediately brings up thoughts of flowers and showers.  So, I created a colorful field of flowers for my nailart today.

I wanted to play with my OPI Color Paints, and I knew they'd look better over a silver polish, but I didn't buy the one that came with the set.  Well, when I tried ordering Cosmic With A Twist, Macy's sent me OPI By The Light Of The Moon, instead.  It's a silver foil with silver glitters, so that works for me.  It got completely covered up by the paints anyway - you can't even tell there's glitter under there. 

I dabbed on the different Color Paints (Primarily Yellow, Chromatic Orange, Magenta Muse, Indigo Motif, and Purple Perspective), and then stamped with UC 7-02 and Finger Paints Paper Mache.

Does it look like a colorful field of wildflowers?  Try squinting and tilting your head a little.  Now?  I knew you could see it, too.

Are you thinking Spring yet?

Purple Roses

Hello, Fireflies!

Time for another purple nailart!  Today's look has a purple to purple gradient, with stamping in purple! I think it fits the challenge...

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!

Wattle no more! With Reviva Labs DMAE Firming Fluid #RevivaLabs

Press Sample. All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

There are several different ingredients that I know my skin likes to help it look its best:  Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, Collagen.. but I have a new one today to add to the list:  DMAE.  If you have skin that is becoming more fragile, especially on the neck, read on to see what this elixir can do!

Eye Am Seeing Myself With New Radiance! #newradiancenaturals

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I love to smile and laugh, which is good for the soul, but bad for the crows feet and laugh lines!  I refuse to give it up, though, so I'm always on the hunt for a great eye product that will help keep the wrinkles at bay.

"Golden Rose" Makeup & Nails with Catrice, Becca, and Dance Legend

Hello, Fireflies!

I was so excited to hear that Ulta was now carrying Catrice makeup, I placed a little order for a few of their things!  I put together a makeup and nails look using some of them, and a few other things.  I hope you like lots of pictures and swatches!

Sunday Stamping - Bright Hibiscus

Hello, Fireflies!

Today's Sunday Stamping challenge was to use a plate that ended in '43'.  I only have one plate that fits the bill, so that part was easy.  I went a little out of my normal comfort zone after that!

Blocking out Digital Pickpockets with #BLOCKIT

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

On Saturdays, I sometimes like to stretch the boundaries of my little blog and review something a little different.  When I was offered the opportunity to review these Credit Card RFID scan blockers, I couldn't resist - after all, without my credit cards, it would make buying all that lovely makeup and nail polish so much harder!

Reviva Labs Hawaiian Seaweed Cleansing Milk

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

When I was growing up, we thought that clean skin meant using harsh cleansers and astringents that dried up all the oil.  Thank goodness that we now know that just encourages excessive oil production, and more breakouts.  As an, um, mature woman who STILL has oily skin, I need to take better care of my face.  I wasn't sure about using something as gentle as a cleansing milk - could it still take care of the oils but also care for my aging mug?

Stamping Sunday: Bright Flowers over Grunge Base

Hello, Fireflies!

Today's Sunday Stamping challenge is to stamp over a grungy base.  I used three different polishes and a fan brush to create a distressed, grungy base, and then contrasted with bright, white flowers!

No More Cracks with Zim's #ZimsCrackCreme

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

There are some products that have achieved a reputation and following that even if you haven't used it, you've heard of it.  For me, Zim's Crack Creme is one of those products.  The name alone makes me want to try it!

Manis & Margaritas With Friends

Hello, Fireflies!

My husband and I both teach at a local university, and sometimes we have some very special students come into our lives and stay as friends.  Chelsea and Carolyn will sometimes come over for manis, and then we all go out for margaritas, one of my faves.

Daisy Chain

Hello, Fireflies!

Today is usually Stamping Sunday, and I do have a stamped mani for you, but it's the last floral challenge for May, instead.

Days of Wine..and Rum.. and Hibiscus?

Hello, Fireflies!

It's still May, and I'm still working on our May Flowers challenge!  Today's mani is inspired by booze.