Mandii's Muse

It is Black Friday. Are you going shopping? I don't think I am, but I might participate in Cyber Monday!! Large crowds of angry people all vying for a specific item does not appeal to me at all. Here is what I have loved this week! 1. I made homemade pretzel buns for the first time! They were really good, and so easy since I made the dough in the bread maker! 2. It snowed here, and it is absolutely gorgeous outside. I love when the snow sticks on the trees. 3. There was a two day marathon of Farm Kings on Wednesday and Thursday. I've watched every episode, but it never hurts to re-watch them!!        ;) 4. I ate way too much yesterday, as I usually do. Plus, we have tons of leftovers! 5. As much as I ate yesterday, there are two things I am craving right now: Chipotle, and a turkey sandwich on a fresh roll with mayo. YUM! Did you link up with Lauren ? I'd love to hear from you! Leave me a comment and let me know!

Image found here I'd like to wish all of my readers a Happy Thanksgiving. Take time today to list what you are grateful for; big or small. There is a lot of sadness in the world, and today is a great time to reflect on what we have. I'm thankful for many things, but having a loving family and wonderful friends top my list. I'm also thankful to have my health, when so many around me do not. From a blogging standpoint, I am thankful to my readers who read my blog, even during times of no posts! Enjoy being around those you love today, eating good food, and being grateful. What are you thankful for this year? Leave me a comment and let me know! Stay tuned for a "What's on my Thanksgiving Plate" post!

This is just a quick post for you today. I know the weather is a little treacherous out there, so please be careful if you are traveling. If the roads get bad, pull off and take your time. Safety is at the up most importance. Safe travels everyone!

I don't go into Sally Beauty Supply often. I will stop in maybe once a month but I almost never buy anything. This last time however, I did end up buying 3 of the Sally Girl Connecting Eyeshadows. Initially I had my eye on the Revlon Shadowlinks, but read some poor reviews. These reviews said that the Sally Girl shadows were of better quality, so I wanted to give them a shot. Plus, they were only $.99. YES! You know I love a good beauty steal! I chose three colors, Beige, Rich Mocha, and Gun Metal. Beige is just that, a matte beige color. This color would be best described as medium flesh toned. Rich Mocha is a medium brown with micro glitter. I don't notice the glitter much when it is on my eye. Gun Metal is the strangest name. It is a satin white, but beautiful highlight color. The quality of these eyeshadows are good. I noticed that they do need several swipes of the brush to attain the pigmentation I desire. These are a little bit harder than a Wet N Wild eyeshad...

Red lipstick and Thanksgiving/Christmas just go together like PB&J. There are so many variant shades of red, that you can never have too many reds. I received the Be A Bombshell lip crayon in Hot Damn in my Ipsy bag for November. When I saw the color, I knew that this will be a well loved favorite for the holiday season. This was also my first experience with Be A Bombshell lipstick! Hot Damn is a pure red with micro glitter. You absolutely cannot feel the glitter on your lips. This lip crayon has a waxy texture. I believe that the texture makes it perfect for it adhering to the lips. I love that this lipstick doesn't feather outside of the lip line (again, probably due to the waxy texture). This has very good staying power, and leaves a slight stain behind. This product also does not need sharpened. I also love this paired with the Aqua Lacquer by POP Beauty in Splashing Scarlet. How I would wear this: I would pair this with a matte nude eye, with classic black liner...

I know I have been the worst blogger these past two weeks. I have had some some sub jobs, and no time to write ahead in my posts. I promise I will get better, I'm still learning to balance between blogging and jobs. Image found here  I am linking up with Lauren like I usually do on Friday's! 1. The district I subbed for this week starts school at 7:35. It's early BUT, the students leave at 2:20. I could leave at 2:45. This makes me happy. It was nice to not leave at 4:00. 2. I plan on having an at home spa day this weekend. I need to use a face mask and a hair mask, plus I need to paint my nails! 3. My goal for this next week is to get a lot of blog posts written up for this month, and part of next month. 4. I have a new found love of hummus. I tried the Sabra Roasted Red Pepper kind, and it was seriously delicious! I recommend it! 5. What is everyone making for Thanksgiving dessert? I might make a chocolate pecan pie! If you link up, I'd love to hear...

This post is a review of a new favorite eyeshadow primer. I have been using this primer by The Balm, and love the consistency, and staying power. The Put A Lid On It primer has a silky texture. It is colorless. I apply a small amount of this on my eyelid, blending all the way to my brow bone. Then I apply my shadows. By using this primer, my shadows apply smoother and last longer. This also goes on clear, unlike some primers. The Balm always knocks it out of the park when it comes to packaging. I received a full size of this when I purchased my Meet Matte Nude palette. *I have oily eyelids. This doesn't give me all day wear, but it definitely helps them to last much longer than usual.* What are your favorite eyeshadow primers? Have your tried this one from The Balm? I'd love to hear from you! Leave me a comment !!

Now that it is definitely Fall/Winter, I have had some issues with my skin and hair. Both are extremely oily. Which is causing me to break out, and have disgusting hair. I wash my face twice a day, and try not to wash my hair on the days I won't be leaving my house. I still get extremely oily. I want to hear some of your tips on controlling the oil. I use my dry shampoo, but should I use a clarifying shampoo? I need your tips and tricks. I can't be a total grease ball! Have any of you struggled with this? I'd LOVE to hear your tips, leave me a comment and let me know.

I'm going to go out and say that this bag was absolutely over loaded with products! It was awesome! I have really been loving my Ipsy bags. Here is what I received in my bag this month! Starlooks Gem Eyeliner Pencil in Topaz: This is a beautiful icy blue color. This color will be great for the Christmas season. I'm glad this was in my bag because I usually don't stray from my everyday brown, or purple, or black liners. This will help me to break out of that rut. I only swatched it, but it applied very smoothly. *This is full size.* Pixi Beauty Bronzer in Subtly Suntouched: This is my first Pixi product! I have looked at Pixi products at Target, but never purchased before. I swatched this, and while it isn't overly pigmented, I think it will make a beautiful highlighter. It gives just enough sheen. TRESemme' Tres Two Hairspray: I love this hairspray. and I love having the mini for travel! It has a great hold! Nailtini Nail Lacquer in Champagne: I straight u...

Friday is here again! It is always a wonderful way to bring in the weekend. Here is what I loved this week. 1. I made another visit to Freedom Farms. I bought some apples, and bread. 2. I absolutely loved my Birchbox and Ipsy bags this month! The Ipsy review is coming tomorrow! 3. I am subbing today and I got to wear my jeans to school. I love days like that. 4. I just want it to be Christmas, because I have some amazing posts for you already planned out! 5. I discovered that McDonald's iced coffee with caramel is AMAZING! Thanks, Lauren for the link up! What about you? How was your week? Leave me a comment , I'd love to hear from you!

I wanted to do a quick review of the KMS Free Shape Hot Flex Spray. First, some background. My hair will hold a curl, but they definitely lose their shape after a while. I have to use some type of hair product to make them stay perfect. I absolutely love Redken's Spray Starch, which my stylist told me is discontinued. I received this KMS Free Shape in a Birchbox, and I have tried it out. Here are my thoughts! I like this product. It isn't sticky like hairspray, and definitely holds my curls. KMS is light, and doesn't tangle my hair when I spray it in. It doesn't make my hair greasy, and I like the scent. I love that a little goes a long way with this! I love that my hair is not crunchy after putting this in. (There are too many I's in that paragraph!) Would I repurchase this? Maybe. I currently have a lot of Spray Starch left, and will probably use what is left of the KMS for travel. I don't use these products every day, so a bottle will last you a long time...

I swear that little pink box can cheer me up anytime! I wasn't feeling well when I received this, but looking at the goodies inside instantly cheered me up. Here is what was in my November box! Color Club |Nail Polish: Dark N' Stormy- Oh this color is absolutely gorgeous! It is a beautiful dark gray, that is slightly metallic. I envision this with a sparkly accent nail, and it will look absolutely Fall/Winter like. Dr. Lipp |Original Nipple balm for Lips- This was originally used for new mothers to help with nursing woes, but they swear by this stuff. Who wouldn't want an emollient balm for your lips for the dog days of winter when your lips are super chapped? I'm excited to try this out! It's a 10 |Miracle Leave In Conditioner- SO, SO, SO excited about this! I have heard rave reviews about this product, but never have tried it! You readers know how much I love to try different hair products! Definitely be watching for a review once I have had time to sample t...

I was browsing through my local Ollies, and stumbled upon a gift set from Wet N Wild! You know that I am a big fan of their products, so I was so excited to get my hands on this! It is a set of two six pan eyeshadow palettes, and 2 lip liners. They eyeshadow palettes that they had were Greed and Lust, both of which I have come to find out are discontinued. I was instantly drawn to these palettes because they each contained 3 matte eyeshadows. The box said that there was an eyeliner and brow pencil in the kit, but there were two lipliners in mine. This is probably one of the reasons they were on Ollie's shelves. Once I get to experiment with this palette, I will do a review on them and maybe a photo tutorial! Have you ever found Wet N Wild products at your local discount bargain store? I'd love to hear from you! Leave me a comment and let me know!

There are many times that I wish I didn't have to heat process my hair as much as I do. I give it a break when I can by not washing it, and using heat tools on it everyday. I also try to use a hair masque once a week that gives it some sheen and healthiness back. I received the UniquOne Hair Treatment to try, and I wanted to give you my thoughts! The consistency of this is like a conditioner. It is nice because you can spray it into the palms of your hands and run it through your hair, or spray it all over your hair. It is a leave in treatment that helps prevent split ends, increase shine, and repairs your hair. This also acts as a detangler. I spray some on the palms of my hands and smooth it down the sides of my hair. This way, it catches the fragile pieces that are damaged and helps to repair them. I blow my hair dry, and style as usual. After using this product, I like that this is a leave in treatment. It also doesn't leave my hair greasy, or hard to style. I have no...

Image found here I am growing my bangs out. I've had them for over two years and it is time for a change. If you've ever grown out your bangs, you know what a frustrating process that can be. They are either in your face all the time, or crunchy from copious amounts of hairspray. I discovered a trick that not only keeps your bangs out of your face, but avoids the crunchy hair feeling. Here's how you do it! 1. Style your hair as usual. For me, this includes putting my bangs in a velcro roller to curl them. 2. Once your hair is styled, remove the roller if necessary. Then separate your bangs by pulling the top layer up. 3. Spray a spritz of dry shampoo on your bangs as if you were doing it to absorb oil. 4. Run the dry shampoo in, smooth bangs, and apply hairspray. That's it! The dry shampoo gives your bangs texture. I found that this helps prevent my bangs from falling into my face and I don't use as much hairspray. The dry shampoo acts as a binder, help...

Image found here The weather is getting cooler, and chapped lips are bound to happen. I usually apply lip balm to remedy this problem. I received this ChapStick Hydration Lock in my October Birchbox, and have been trying it out for you! So far, I am loving it! The scent is Vanilla Creme, and although the scent is faint, it is still there. The chapstick glides on smoothly, and is very emollient. I apply this at night, and wake up with the balm still left on my lips. This promises 8 hour moisture, and I definitely agree with that. This is not a waxy type lip balm either. ChapStick Hydration Lock also contains the antioxidant CoQ10, and hylauronic filling spheres. This would make a great lip primer for those drier lipsticks that you may have. This smooths out your lips perfectly! If you like the matte lipstick look, but hate how some of them feel on your lips, try this lip balm underneath. I definitely think I will be repurchasing this again! I have seen this at Wal-Mart for und...

Another week passes, another week in review post! Can you believe it is November already? Where has the time gone? These posts are a great way to catch up on what you might have missed! I met the Farm Kings . They are unbelievably nice, I can't say it enough times!  Even in today's digital age, I like to read an actual magazine. Here are my favorites! A blog post is not complete without a lip product! Here is my new favorite combination ! Like always, I linked up with Lauren on Friday! Here was the best part of my week! Let me know what your favorite post of the week was!

It is a windy Friday here in Pennsylvania today. It is a good day to wear a hat. Here is what I loved this week! 1. I got called into substitute yesterday. Yes, on Halloween. The kiddos were already pretty excited, and trick or treating didn't even start! 2. I have begun the Summer to Fall clothes switch out. It isn't my favorite thing to do, but I like rediscovering my closet with the Fall and Winter clothes. 3. The local weatherman made his Winter weather predictions. Looks like we are going to get a lot of snow in February! 4. I am subbing all next week, I should plan my outfits and lunches out! 5. If you haven't seen my post on it yet, I finally met the Farm Kings! I am already plotting my return visit before the home market closes for the season! I must get more Honey-crisp apples and apple cider! What did you love this week? Thanks to Lauren for letting me link up with her!