Mandii's Muse

As you may know, and have read on this blog numerous times, I have oily eyelids. Therefore, getting an eyeshadow to last all day on me is practically impossible. Until now. I picked up the Jordana Made to Last 12 hour eyeshadow in my weekend haul. I will admit that I didn't have high hopes. I have used products like that in the past that doesn't stay on my lids. THIS PRODUCT WORKS! I can't even believe how well this keeps my eyeshadows in place. I use a primer and then place this over top. I draw it on my eyelid and blend it out quickly. Then I place my eyeshadow on top, and go on with the rest of my makeup. This definitely lasts me all day. Around the 10 hour mark I get a little creasing, but nothing like I would get normally. This even lasts longer than the Maybelline Color Tattoos which I still love (and can't wait to try the matte ones). Why I love this: First of all, it is matte. Second, it is flesh color. Third, it lasts. Some people might be put off th...

Friday is here and it is supposed to be a nice weekend. I liked up with Lauren as I usually do! Here is what I loved this week! 1. I have been getting a lot of subbing jobs and I have been blessed with no lunch duty! I can't stand lunch duty, so I am relishing the fact that I haven't had it at all! 2. I can't wait to try the new products I got in my weekend haul . I am especially excited to try the matte eyeshadow pencil. 3. My October social calendar is filling up! Every weekend is packed with something. 4. These donuts are amazing, and huge!! The shop has been in business for 75 years. 5. The Farm Kings Fall Festival has been set! I am so pumped to go, I can't stand it! Are any of my readers going to be there? How has your week been? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Image found here Today, I'd love to hear your opinions on how you change your look for Fall. Here are some changes I plan on making! 1. Darkening my hair: My roots y'all! They are looking pretty sad. I haven't decided exactly what color I want to be yet. I'm sure that after a good talk with my stylist she will be able to help me out! I am also planning on growing out my bangs. I have had them for a while now and it is time for a change. 2. Deepening my lipstick: Now, I am a firm believer that I can wear hot pink lipstick in any season, but I love to darken my lipsticks for Fall! I love cranberry colors, and dark reds to wear with a more neutral eye. 3. Darker nail colors: You can find my favorites for Fall here! What are you going to do to change your look for Fall? I'd love to hear from you! Leave me a comment and let me know!

I did some shopping this weekend, and I thought I would share it with you! I collected these items over a few days, and all of it was super cheap! (Cheap=Happy Mandii!)   I bought these bandanas at Hobby Lobby. I saw Kandee Johnson's tutorial on how to tie a bandana and I wanted to recreate that look. These are slightly larger than an average bandana. I bought the red one because I am going to a tailgate at a college, and their colors are red and white! The pink one, well, who doesn't love pink and white polka dots? Best part about it, they were $.99! I bought this Freeman Paper Mask at Wal-Mart. I have been seeing a lot recently about paper masks, and I wanted to try one. This one is made for oily skin. It has starfruit, lavender, and tea tree in it. This was only $1.37. If I like it, I might go back and get more! If you know me, you know I love a good trip to Walgreens! I picked up 3 products from Jordana, and 1 product from Sinful Colors. The Jordana products I picked ...

I received this mascara in my September Ipsy bag, and I have used it and want to share my thoughts with you! This mascara is by Elizabeth Mott. I have never heard of her before, so I was anxious to try her mascara. This mascara is a regular spooly wand. This mascara separates my lashes well, and it doesn't clump or flake. I also didn't notice the "raccoon eye" look at the end of the day like I do with some mascaras. This mascara didn't make my lashes hard or crunchy. I did like the brush, it was just big enough to catch all of the lashes, but thin enough to get in the inner corners. Although there were a few things I liked about this mascara, there were some things I didn't like. It is a wetter formula, and if you aren't careful some mascara can remain on the rim of the tube. (A pet peeve of mine!) One thing I noticed about this mascara is that for my preference, it isn't dark enough. I usually buy my mascara in very black or blackest black, and th...

You may have noticed that my blogging came to a halt last Thursday. I lot a great friend that day, my dog Sunshine. I got Sunny when I was in 6th grade, and she has been with my family and I for the past 13 years. She has lived in our house for the past 13 years, so each room has a memory of her. She was one of the smartest dogs I have ever seen. She knew when you were done with dinner, and that we were hiding the cup full of ice. She was the only dog that I knew that ate carrots while she was giving birth to puppies, and would eat the vegetables as you were cutting up a salad. It will be hard to pick up the pieces, especially since we had to put down her 2 children a little less than 9 months ago. That is why I have been absent the past few days. I pray that you haven't had to experience what I had to go through. If you have, how did you cope? What did you do to mend your heart?  I'd love your suggestions, leave me a comment. Tomorrow we will get back to our regularly sch...

Hi everyone! Blogging will resume Monday, as it has been a hard couple of days. I will explain it all in Monday's post. Thanks for sticking with the blog through this time of no new posts. Look for a new one Monday. Mandii

Being the beauty and makeup lover that I am, when my friend told me about Ipsy, I had to give it a try. This is going to be an experiment on a "Battle of the Subscription Service" blog. I will go over the comparisons between the two on a separate blog post. Ipsy comes once a month, and instead of coming in a box it comes in a pink foil mailer. One thing I like about Ipsy is that you get a new makeup bag every month! This month the bag was a beautiful royal blue with black pattern flowers. I really like it! Here are the products that were in my first Ipsy bag! John Frieda Full Repair Shampoo and Conditioner- This will come in handy in a travel case. These are great size, and I can definitely get a good 3-4 washes out of the sample. Starlooks Eyeliner in Obsidian- This is a pencil eyeliner that draws a nice black line. This is a full size. I normally don't wear black eyeliner, but I have been experimenting with different eyeliners lately. It's So Big Masca...

Due to the tragedy at Washington Naval Yard yesterday, I elected not to post a blog. That little pink box made its way to my mailbox! I always get excited when I get mail...except credit card bills. Those aren't good. Overall this month was pretty good. Anytime you get lip gloss and nail polish in the mail is good right? Here is what was in my box! Ruffian | Nail Polish in Hedge Fund- This is not normally a color I would gravitate to, however it is perfect for Fall! I could even see this color being used as an accent nail to a really pretty brown color! Of course, you can also do the Ruffian manicure with this polish as well! Benefit | Lip Gloss in Sugarbomb- This color is a pinky, peachy shimmer gloss, that would look good by itself or over any type of pink or peach lipstick. The texture is not sticky, and the scent is slightly fruity. BCBGMAXAZRIA| Bon Genre Perfume- This perfume smells very fresh and clean. This fragrance is not over powering at all. uniqONE | Hair ...

So today's post is a little out of the ordinary! When my friend Courtney was visiting, we went in to the cutest little tea shop near my house and sampled some tea. Well, I have been craving it ever since that day! (Silly me for not buying any the day we went!) I went and bought some loose leaf tea, and an infuser. I also got some for my Grandma for Christmas!! I think this is a present that she will absolutely LOVE! (Grandma, if you are reading this...Merry Christmas!!)  Image found here Now, here is where I need your help! I have never brewed loose leaf tea, nor have I ever used an infuser! Yep, I was a tea bag girl before this. I would love to know your tips and tricks for brewing loose leaf tea! I have heard the adage, water into tea, never tea in water. Is that true?  Here are the varieties I bought and the descriptions about them! Carmella:  Black tea, butterscotch chips, calendula, and sunflower petals. Caramel and Vanilla flavors. Winter Spice: Black tea...

Friday is here again! What is going on with this weather? It has 90 degrees this week, and today it is barely 60. What is going on? I am linking up with Lauren as usual! Here is what I loved this week! 1. My dog had a trip to the vet. So she got a hamburger and ice cream for her reward. (So did her parents!) 2. I won this awesome Farm Kings gift from GAC! I am so excited! I can't wait to wear everything! Definitely the highlight of my week! 3. I know what I want to be for Halloween! Now I just have to find a party to go to! 4. Listening to my parents laugh about Honey Boo Boo is quite interesting! I don't watch, but they are loving it! Can someone tell me what the appeal is?? 5. I need to start painting my nails again! They have been bare too long! P.S. Did anyone notice it is Friday the 13? Oh dear! What did you love about this week? I'd love to hear from you! Leave me a comment and let me know!

I feel like canning food has become a lost art. I'm thankful that my mom cans, and I have been able to learn from her. It is something that I think is very important. Not only does it help preserve your food, but you know what is going in whatever you are canning, and, it is pure and has no chemicals or additives. Canning can sometimes take a while, so it is best to set aside a Saturday to can whatever you will be canning. I chose to show you how to can pico de gallo. It is fairly simple, and uses only a few ingredients. Essential Tools: A canning funnel: The lip is wider so it gets down deep in the jar A lid lifter: To get the rings and inserts out of boiling water A jar lifter: To place jars in and out of a boiling water bath A large pot for boiling water: This is what you will process the canned goods in Small saucepan to boil inserts and rings: They must be hot to ensure a proper seal Pint jars with rings, and inserts: What else are you going to put your pico...

This sphere was in the World Trade Center, and was recovered. I took this when I went to NYC in Battery Park. I think if you ask anyone that was around on September 11, they would be able to tell you where they were when they heard about the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, The Pentagon, and the field in Shanksville, PA. Myself, I was in English class in 7th grade. I remember my mom picking me up from school, and being glued to the television watching the horror unfold. I remember in the days following the terrorist attack, how united we were as a country. Everyone was flying the flag, people were supporting the troops, the Police, Fire Departments, and the First Responders. I wish we could get back to 9-12-11. It didn't matter if you were Republican, Democrat, or Independent. Our home was being attacked, and by golly we weren't going to stand that! We were flying our flag and proud to be an American! So on this September 11, fly your flag, ...

Image found here Have you checked out the beauty community on YouTube? It is chock full of knowledge. Anytime I want to buy something, I almost always see if there are reviews on whatever I want to buy. Thanks to the YouTube beauty community, I have purchased several things that I wouldn't have even thought about buying had I not saw it on the internet. Here are a few of the YouTubers I watch, and what they have made me buy! Emilynoel83: Emily makes me want to buy EVERYTHING! I have bought so much based on her recommendations! More often than not, I love them. She got me into the Revlon Lip Butters, new mascaras, honestly everything!! LaFemme5278: Lindsay posted a great review of the Naked 2 palette that I was looking into buying. She compared it to the original Naked palette, and gave a great review. When all was said and done, I bought it and love it! FancyThatWithCandice: She has got me started on the Maybelline Color Tattoos. She said it was a close dupe for the MA...

A rather boring, picture-less post from me today. Doesn't the week after a holiday seem to go so slow? It does for me! The good news is that it is Friday and here is what I have loved this week! 1.) I am trying out a new iced coffee recipe! 2.) I am absolutely LOVING everything I see on Forever 21's and Old Navy's website. 3.) Even though I only had a sample, I am craving caramel and vanilla tea. It is so good! 4.) The weather has been gorgeous here the past 2 days. Perfect Fall weather! 5.) It was the Season 2 finale of Farm Kings last night. What am I going to do on Thursday's? Thanks Lauren for letting me link up with you! What did you love this week? Leave me a comment , I'd love to hear from you!

There is something about Fall scents that are just warm and homey. Cinnamon and pumpkin, and crisp apples are the norm in the season. I have a few scents that I like to put in my Better Homes and Gardens wax warmer. I also have a candle that I like to put on my candle warmer and just smell the goodness. The Gold Canyon candle is just heavenly. The scent is Mulled Harvest. It is a mix of pumpkin, and apple, mixed with mulling spices like cinnamon, and nutmeg. I put this on my candle warmer, the scent just fills the room! Spiced Apple Wreath has the crisp scent of granny smith apples, and warm spices like cinnamon. This fills the whole room with warmth and just screams Fall. I break a cube off and let it sit in the warmer and let the scent marinate. This also lingers when the warmer is turned off as well! Spiced Apple Citrus has a more citrus scent than apple. Think oranges and apples mixed together with nutmeg and cinnamon. This scent can get very strong at times, so I put it o...

I absolutely love the South. I feel like I am a Southern girl at heart living in the North. People are friendlier, they dress up, and it is not go, go, go all the time. Recently I was reading Southern Living magazine, and came across an article called 35 Secrets to Southern Charm. They made sense to me, so I am sharing them with you! Southerners that are reading this, can I be adopted into your Southern states? Image found here Charm them with your Party Etiquette : Return an empty dish with something delicious inside. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. It can be cookies, or a casserole. It makes their life much easier after throwing a fantastic party the night before that they don't have to worry about dinner! Charm them with your Gracious Home: Share the Bounty. Have an overabundance of tomatoes from your garden, share them! Some people may not have gardens, and let's face it, nothing beats a garden fresh tomato. Charm them with your Personal Style: Every...

Is it Fall yet? Has Starbucks started serving the Pumpkin Spice Latte? (The official start of Fall) Fall means no more pinks, greens, or neon nail polishes but warm browns and burgundy shades. I have a few favorite Fall shades I want to share with you! Sinful Colors: Nirvana- This is a beautiful brown tone that can work as a neutral. This polish will go with anything! Color Club: Insta-this- I got this in a Birchbox, and it just screams Fall! It is a beautiful cornflower blue that is bright but not screaming at you. Zoya: Shay- This will go in all of my nail polish posts. This is a beautiful pink nude that fits in any season. For those of you with medium skin tones, this is your perfect mannequin hands look! It is slightly metallic, which gives it added dimension. Wet N Wild: Gray's Anatomy- This polish has a grey base, but is a duo-chrome. It ranges from a green to a slight purple. This would also look great over black nail polish. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manic...

Image found here Happy Labor Day to everyone! I hope you have a great "last summer fling!" Even though summer is over, think of all the wonderful things to come. Fall, sweaters, boots, apple cider, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and so much more. Have a great day! ~Mandii

I wanted to give you an update on where this blog is headed. I have some great Fall posts drafted, and once it starts feeling a bit more "Fall-ish", I will go ahead and post them. I have a list of current drugstore makeup I want to purchase and try out for you. Once I do that, keep an eye out for some reviews!  I was thinking about making some short videos on YouTube. Quick and simple reviews, or quick outfit of the day shots. (Maybe once I get used to it, some tutorials!) I was thinking about doing a video once a week, and I'd like to start that soon. However, I need to get a transfer cable for my camcorder, so they might not start for a few weeks. The videos will not however take away from the blog. It will be used in conjunction with the blog. I have a few ideas in mind, and I'm excited to get started on this little new adventure. So you'll support me right? Thought you would! You readers are the best!  :) I honestly can't tell you how much I appreciate...