Mandii's Muse

Friday, you have graced us with your presence again! Thank you! This marks a holiday weekend, which is always a treat! I'm linking up with Lauren , as usual! Here is what I am loving this week! 1. My mom and I canned pico de gallo! We think it is much better than salsa. (Look for the process on the blog soon!) 2. I caved and got an Instagram. It is a work in progress. You can give me a follow here! 3. Cashew was looking super cute while we were canning. 4. I don't think I've ever uttered these words in my life but, I'm ready for Fall. 5. Just found out that there is going to be a third season of Farm Kings! Happy Dance! What did you love this week? I'd love to hear from you! Tweet me , leave me a comment, or leave a comment on my Facebook page!

One of the reasons I like Birchbox is because it introduces me to new products. This BB cream being one of them. I was not on the BB cream bandwagon. In fact, I haven't used liquid foundation since middle school. So when I received this BB cream in my box, I thought, "alright, let's give this a shot." I absolutely LOVE this! The Marcelle Golden Glow BB cream gives excellent coverage! It has just enough light reflecting pigments in it to give my skin a natural glow. Another aspect I love about this cream is it looks just like skin. It did not make me oily, and application was a breeze. (I used my fingers.) I would say that this BB cream would give you light to medium coverage. I didn't feel like this was on my skin at all, which I love. If you are looking for a BB cream, I would try this one out. You can buy the BB cream at Birchbox  or on Marcelle's website. Have you tried this BB cream? What did you think? Do you have a favorite BB cream I should know a

By now you have probably watched the horrific disaster that was Miley Cyrus's performance on the VMA's. If you haven't, spare yourself of the disaster and just take mine and other people's opinion and just know it was pitiful. Image found here I know why she did it. She doesn't want us to see her as Hannah Montana anymore. Well, I don't. I see her as a disgusting attention seeking wannabe. I'm sure she was raised better than that. Can you imagine her trying to explain that to her grandparents? There is no doubt that she can sing, and unfortunately after her performance on Sunday that is NOT what people are talking about. Sad. People who are in the limelight, are in it to become famous. I remember Jon Bon Jovi said in an interview with Katie Couric, that the bands original goal wasn't to become famous but to hear their songs on the radio. Fame came later. Some people do things just to get famous . Once they do, they get things thrown at them, mon

If my friend Sarah and I were to go beauty product shopping, we could do some major damage. Major. So we participated in a mini makeup swap. I gave her a lipstick, and she gifted me this mascara. *Everyone has a different take on mascara. If you try this, you may not like it like I do.* I have been on a rubber brush kick for a while now. I like how those rubber bristles separate my lashes. I was anxious to see how a regular mascara brush would do since I haven't used one in so long. I'm a fan of this mascara! The brush is a regular spooly, but it is soft! The brush is thin, but enough to build volume on your lashes. It grabs those inner corner lashes really well. The formula is wetter, but not too wet that it gives you spider lashes. Jordana Best Lash Extreme Volume mascara gives me incredible length and volume. It does not flake, and holds a curl amazingly well. It also kept my lashes soft! Application: I curl my lashes, then apply one coat of this mascara. I let it dr

I have some recent trash for you today! I have collected these items over several weeks, and wanted to show you what I had. I have always loved empties posts and videos because it is a quick way to say "this is what I used, and I will either repurchase this or not. So let's dig through my trash! Ojon Damage Reverse Conditioner: This was a sample I received in my Birchbox. I did like this conditioner as a deep conditioner, but won't repurchase because of the price. Klorane Eye Makeup Remover with Cornflower Water: Another sample size! This remover was gentle on my eyes, and took most of my makeup off well. I might repurchase this. L'Oreal Go 360 Anti Breakout Cleanser: LOVE this! I believe this is my third bottle. I love the scrublet, I love how it doesn't dry my face out, and I love the invigorating scent. I use this once a day, usually at night. It does seem to help with my breakouts! Mary Kay Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover: I hate to see this go! I

Need is a tricky word there. I don't need these things, I would like to have them, but I'm not going to throw a tantrum if I don't get them. Any way, here is what I am coveting lately.  I really want a leopard print blouse. Animal prints are so chic, and can be worn with anything. Can you imagine this blouse with some awesome red pants?  I love cowl neck sweaters. Turtlenecks make you feel closed in, but cowl necks give  you warmth, yet you don't feel like you are in a neck brace! Image found here.  I want an entire outfit that looks like this. Minus the boots, because I already have grey boots. That sweater would keep you so warm on a fall/winter day. The grey is neutral so you can add a cool colored bracelet. It is just an amazing look! Image found here .  I really want to try these Jordana Twist and Shine Balm Stains. As usual, it is a lipstick and therefore I am drawn to it. What items are you coveting for fall? As always, I'd love to hear from you! L

Friday is here again! This week literally flew by! I am linking up with Lauren as usual! Here is what I am loving this week! 1. Here is my signed ticket from Landon Austin and Luke Conard. I also have a picture of my cousin Allie and me! Here is my post from that concert! 2. This scent, smells exactly like Old Spice. I can't wait to put it in my warmer! 3. I went to my favorite ice cream place! I got chocolate almond, and it was amazing as usual! 4. I have been loving this lip combo. Both are Rimmel products! Rimmel Kate collection 104 and Rimmel Stay Glossy 6 hour gloss in All Night Long. It's neutral, without washing me out. What did you love this week? If you link up with Lauren, I'd love to hear from you! Go ahead and leave me a comment !

I'm going to dedicate this post for anyone heading back to school! As a substitute, I have to get back into a routine as well! I will give  you some tips for Entering High School, Entering College, and A College Upperclassman! Let's get to it! Entering High School: My high school experience was okay. It is not a time that I want to go back to. However, there are some people whom I graduated with that loved the whole experience. Here are my tips for those of you entering high school. Be yourself Get involved (something I wish I would've done more of!) Don't try to fit with the "in crowd."  Be organized Image found here Entering College: I was scared to death during my first weekend in college. I remember thinking "Mandii, what in the heck did you get yourself in to?" Here I was, this shy girl, living away from home for the first time with a roommate. (luckily, home was not far away!) You know what tho, I ended up LOVING college!

My mom received this magnet a few years ago, and I have always loved the simple message of it. I don't know the author, but it is a Blue Mountain Arts magnet. I hope this perks up your day, as it always does mine. Ten Things To Always Remember...and One Thing to Never Forget Your presence is a present to the world. You are truly one of a kind. Your life can be what you want it to be. Take the days one at a time. Count your blessings, not your troubles. You'll make it through whatever comes along. Within you are so many answers. Have courage. Be strong. Wish upon a star, and don't forget...how very special you are.  I think everyone needs to be reminded how special they are, no matter your station in life. Print this out, and  hang it in a place where you are every day. Read it often. You are special, and you do matter!! If this saying helped you, please leave me a comment , I'd love to hear from you!

*Warning: this will be a long post, and picture heavy!*  :) Strictly based on the title alone I should have caught your attention! Sunday was the Alex Goot concert. It was at bar in Pittsburgh, and there were about 5 acts to the show!  You definitely got your money's worth! I went with my cousin, Allie (you can find her blog here! ) and it was just a fun girls night! The show was in a bar which used to be an old church, so it was very pretty inside. We got there around 6,  parked, and only had to stand in line for 10 minutes before we got to go inside. When we went in, we got our tickets scanned and  BAM , there was Landon Austin and Luke Conard at their merchandise table. So, because I somehow gained oodles of confidence*, Allie and I went over and I said "Hi Landon!"  He said "hi" back and asked me my name. I had a card for him so I handed it to him and he asked if he should open it now or later. I said that it was up to him. We moved on to Luke Conar

Hey everyone! I have a quick question for you today. How many of you can your vegetables from your garden? If not, is this something you would like to learn about? Harvest season is upon us and my mom and I have some recipes to use your garden's bounty. Would you be interested in seeing them on this blog? If you wouldn't mind leaving me a comment, or tweeting me, or putting it on my Facebook page, I'd appreciate it! I could show you recipes for: Pasta sauce, peppers, pico de gallo. Let me know if you are interested!

I am so glad it is Friday! This week has flown by, and this weekend is unusually busy! Of course I linked up with Lauren ! Here is what I am loving this week! Image found here 1. As you are probably reading this, I am in the hair dressers chair getting my hair cut! It is greatly needed! 2. I spent Wednesday with my mom and a few of her friends. We had a Mexican fiesta, complete with Mariachi music complements of Pandora! 3. Sunday is the Alex Goot concert! I'm excited! 4. My aunt is having a jewelry party on Saturday. It is in the morning, and I can't think of anything better than breakfast, and jewelry. Image found here 5. All week there has been a fireworks festival by my house, tonight is the grand finale! The show is supposed to be 90 minutes long! This is what I loved this week, what did you love? Leave me a comment and let me know! If you link up with Lauren, I'd love to hear from you!

That little pink box arrived in my mailbox the other day! Christmas in August! Seriously, I love when my Birchbox comes, and I track that sucker until it is on my doorstep! (I'm not the only one who does this right?) Here is what I received in my August box! KMS California| Freeshape Hot Flex Spray: I have heard a lot about KMS recently! This protects against breakage and is said to provide medium hold. I can't wait until I get my haircut and I can use this! Anything to protect my hair and give it extra hold while curling it is already a hit in my book! I guess we will wait and see! OC8| Professional Mattifying Gel: You know I can get to be an oil slick! I am anxious to try this to see if it really does keep my face matte for 8 hours! stila| Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick: As usual, Birchbox knows I love lipsticks! This is said to be a cult favorite, and this color Beso is absolutely gorgeous! I will say this, the swatch did not come off of my hand! I had to use makeup

I'm a slacker. These past two weeks, getting blogs together has been tough! I will get back into the swing of things here, I promise! Today's post is all about my favorite Mary Kay skincare products! Mary Kay has been around for forever it seems, and I know that I have been using their products for about 10 years now. These skincare products keep my face looking great, and you already know how much I love my Mary Kay mineral foundation! Here are the products I love! Mary Kay Classic Basic Oil Control Lotion Formula 3: This lotion keeps my face oil free! I can't even get over how my face is not shiny at all! This lotion is a thinner lotion, and dries almost instantly when applied. When I wear this, my makeup looks just like I applied it at the beginning of the day. It also hydrates my skin, leaving it soft and smooth! Mary Kay Classic Basic Clarifying Mask Formula 3: As I have stated before, I need to use a mask more often. When I do use this mask, I find that my ski

That was a title and a half huh? Shockingly, when I ordered my Birchbox goodies I ordered these lipsticks. I know what you are saying, "Mandii, you HATE lipsticks, why on Earth did you get those?"   I am kidding. I think you readers know me well enough to know that I LOVE lipstick and can't get enough! So when I saw these matte lipsticks in a 3 pack...I had to have them! Model Co is an Australian brand, and these lipsticks smell amazing! I purchased the Classic collection, and it came with 3 colors everyone needs in their lipstick arsenal. Red Velvet , is just that. A beautiful, rich red. This is a true red, and not a tomato, orange-y red. Peony , is a deep pink. It is not fuchsia, but a dark pink with hints of red. Disco Fever , is a bright coral. It's bright. Now, these Model Co lipsticks are matte. They are matte, with the slightest bit of sheen to them.Which means the staying power on these is incredible. I have found that Red Velvet, and Peony stay the lon

I think anyone that knows me, knows I have low self confidence. I'm sure it is common in most women. Sometimes you feel not pretty enough, hate being the single gal, etc. Then there are some days where you feel fabulous. If you've read my blog at all, you know I am a big quote person. Here are a few that I have found, to help with your self confidence issues. I know they ring true for me! *All of these quotes came from Beauty Tips on twitter. ( @TheBeautyTips ) *Next time you look at someone thinking "I wish I was that pretty," remember that another person is thinking that same thought about you. *You can look in the mirror and see flaws, but there is someone who can look at you and see only beauty. *You are beautiful and you DO matter. Work on a beautiful heart & God will send you someone amazing that loves you just the way you are. I hope these helped. I printed these quotes on notecards and hung them where I can see them. They are just a little remind

TGIF! Who doesn't love Friday's? I am doing the usual link up with Lauren this week! Here is what I have been loving! 1. This matte palette is seriously amazing. I have loved playing around with it! 2. I made this lip scrub , and my lipstick has never looked better! 3. Our new car, White Willie is AMAZING! He is majorly pimped out. (Okay, not really.) 4. There is nothing like climbing into a bed with freshly washed sheets. 5. Can we talk about how awesome the Pirates are doing? It is majorly cool! How has your week been? If you link up with Lauren, let me know! I'd love to hear from you!

Image found here Why is it so hard for me to blog on Thursday's? I will never understand. I think I get end-of week writers block! Anyway, today's post is something that I read about, and finally decided to try today. I went into a LUSH store sometime last year and fell in love with the Mint Julips lip scrub. That is heavenly, let me tell you! However, being the frugal gal I am, I absolutely will not pay $8 for a container of sugar. So I made my own. I tweaked this recipe. Ingredients: Sugar Honey Olive Oil Peppermint Oil The ratios are all on your own. I used a teaspoon of sugar, about 4 drops of honey, and 3 drops of olive oil. Then I added 3 drops of peppermint oil. I mixed it around with a toothpick, and used some on my lips. I was left with soft lips, that were just ready for a lip balm or lipstick to be put on them! The peppermint oil gave me just a tingle, which I like! You can omit that if you want! Have you ever made your own lip scrub? Do you have a fa

*Before I get started, I was contacted by the company to review this product. My reviews are honest.* Perfume is expensive, and usually comes in glass bottles. If you work at an office, or go to the gym, you would want to refresh yourself throughout the day. However, hauling a breakable glass perfume bottle in your purse is not the way to do it. How do you freshen up with your favorite perfume, without taking your glass perfume bottle out of the house? The Travalo! The Travalo is a refillable perfume atomizer that holds your perfume. I was sent the Travalo Excel which holds 65 sprays. Refilling the Travalo is absolutely genius. There is no spills, no leakage, and couldn't be simpler. I'll get to that later. *I had bought the Nordstrom atomizer, because it was a cheap alternative to the Travalo. Filling it was a pain, and I wasted my perfume because it spilled. Also, when I went to fill it with a different perfume, the scent stuck around, and it currently smells like the

So there is a new man in my life! Matt(e)! Obviously, my Matt(e) is of the eyeshadow variety. I got this full sized palette with my Birchbox points, and I am absolutely LOVING it! The Meet Matt(e) Nude palette from The Balm is a collection of 9 creamy, matte eyeshadows. The colors range from varying shades of browns, to a grey/purple, to a flesh toned color. This kit also came with a full sized Put A Lid On It primer. The Balm has amazing packaging, and I am huge fan of their products. This palette is adding to my already deep love of The Balm. I mean, how cute is that each shadow is named after a different Matt? Major props to their creative department, because they knock it out of the park! Before I talk about the colors, I need to talk about the consistency. These shadows are so creamy, and not chalky like some matte eyeshadows can be. There is hardly any fall out from these shadows. They go on like a dream and blend beautifully. It is definitely my new favorite palette. Th

Wow, my blogging has been terrible this past week huh? It has been filled with crazy events. Don't worry, I have some different and interesting posts for you this week. Anyway, on to the post! My best friend from college visited me on Friday. She is from the city, and has never been to Amish country. I had formulated my plan to take her to do some "country things." So we visited some quaint shops and ate some lunch. Then we headed into Amish country. She was amazed at how they live and how beautiful the scenery was. While we were hanging out, this blog post came to mind. The shops that we visited have been in my area for a long time. I had not been there in years. I was pleasantly surprised at how nice they were. We also went to a local cheese house and explored around in there. I again hadn't been in there in many years. What I did, was explore my own area. Many times we often get stuck in a rut with where we go in our daily lives, myself included. The only thi

Friday is here again! Whoo! I am linking up with Lauren as per usual! Here is what I am loving this week! 1. One of my best friends from college is visiting me today! Lots of girl chat will happen today! 2. There is a new member of the family! White Willie! He is a 04 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer edition. 3. I have been having fun trying out my goodies from my Birchbox haul. 4. It is time to schedule a haircut. I need layers put back in this mop of mine. 5. There is 79 days until college basketball season. Ah, I can't wait! I need Duke Basketball back in my life! How has your week been? Leave me a comment and let me know! If you link up with Lauren as well, I'd love to hear from you!