Makeup Tips & Trends From the Spring 2014 Runways

These makeup tips and trends from the spring runways are brought to you by Walgreens and Collective Bias®.  #WalgreensBeauty #shop #cbias

Spring is in the air here in Southern California.  Would you believe that our weather has been a very warm upper 80's all week, with one day getting as high as 92 degrees?  With the weather getting warmer, it's time to update our looks and freshen up our makeup for spring!  Using the Spring 2014 New York Fashion Week runway photos and looks as my guide, I came up with a list of hot new makeup tips and trends to help you look your best in the new year.

While some of the runway looks are a bit more conceptual, there were a handful of trends that you can easily incorporate into your beauty routine to get a hot new fresh look!  A big thanks goes out to my lovely sister-in-law for modeling these new makeup looks for us. Isn't she gorgeous?!

Makeup Trend #1- Orange Lips

Wait, stay with me here!  Surprisingly enough, orange lips are very flattering on most skin tones.  You can choose a bright orange lip, or go with more of a red-orange look.  The whole idea is to have a neutral face and eye but add that pop of color on the lips.  We did a little bit of eyeliner and mascara, but kept it minimal to really let the lips steal the show!  The lips look very red in these photos, but they were a lot more orange in real life.

Before our makeup shoot I stocked up on new makeup from Walgreens.  They have a huge selection of brands and colors to choose from, and prices that won't break the bank!  I went with Revlon products, and bought some fun new shades that I was excited to try.

When using a bright lip color, be sure to line your lips first with lip liner so your lipstick doesn't bleed outside your lip lines, and to keep your lip line nice and crisp.

For this look we lined the lips with Revlon ColorStay Lip liner in Red, and then used Revlon Moon Drops Creme Lipstick in Hot Coral.

I LOVE this bright lip color, and it looked amazing on Holly and I both.  You can also dot a tiny bit of a lighter lip liner on your cheeks, and then rub it in for a light, natural-looking rosy cheek.

Makeup Trend #2- Black Liner

The retro black lined eyes were definitely HOT on the runways for spring, and can be done a few different ways.  Precise cat eyes are big this season, as well as smudgy black eyes that are lined on the top and inside the bottom lid.  You can go neat or a little smudgy and messy with this look, but either way will make your eyes stand out.  A neutral lip is best for this look.  You can stick with a nude lip, or add a little pink for color.

I used Revlon's ColorStay Liquid Liner in Black to create these cat eyes.  Be sure to start on the inside edge of the eye with a very thin line.  As you get closer to the outside of the eye, gradually make the line a little thicker, and slightly higher.  You can take the edge of the liner out as far as you want depending on the look that you are going for.  Mistakes are easy to fix with a Q-tip dipped in a little water or makeup remover.  You don't have to line underneath the eye, but you can for a more dramatic look.

We used Revlon's Luxurious Color Eyeliner in Black to create her bottom line.  This pencil was perfect, because it came with a little smudging tool on the end of the pencil to help soften the liner line to create more of a smudgey look.

Makeup Trend #3- Light Wash of Pastel Eye Color

This is probably the most "springy" of the three looks I'm sharing with you today, and is very simple to create.  A pretty wash of pastel eyeshadow on the lids was huge on the runways, and can be a great way to add a little spring to your makeup routine.  Light green and purple were frequently spotted, but light blue and pink are also great colors to use as well.

This technique couldn't be easier!  Just sweep the color along your eyelids with a brush.  You can add a little liner if you like, along with some mascara, but the idea is to keep the eye simple and light.  We used Revlon's cute little compact eyeshadow single in lime.  To keep the look soft and airy, I used Revlon's Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Snow Pink on her lips.

I hope these trends help you to freshen up your makeup look this new year, and make you feel great about yourself!  It's so fun to try out new looks and colors… which look are you the most excited to try?

If your powder makeup ever breaks, don't throw it away!  Did you know that you can easily fix it?

It's easy to make your own DIY glitter shoes from a worn out pair of heeels that are sure to make you sparkle!  Check out the tutorial here.

If you liked this project, please follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Bloglovin', and Instagram.

xo, Laura

DIY Downton Abbey Lady Mary Inspired Headband/Tiara

A few weeks ago I was thrilled to host a Downton Abbey tea party with World Market using their gorgeous line of Downton Abbey products.  It was such a nice, relaxing party, and I am determined to hold a fancy tea party every year because we all had such a wonderful time!  

I mentioned in my tea party post that I would share the details of the DIY head band that I made last minute and wore to the party.  Here's my inspiration... Isn't it beautiful?

Photo from here

Photo from here

It was inspired by Lady Mary's gorgeous wedding tiara from the show.  I knew I wanted to make mine inexpensively and on a much less formal scale (I wasn't going to be getting married after all), and just needed it for my party.  My version was pretty quick and easy to make, and I have to admit, I felt a little royal wearing it ;)  I realize that it's not an exact replica, and that's not what I wanted.  I wanted to make something that was my own, but was a nod to the original.

I headed to Joann Craft Store to look for anything that I could use that resembled the small leaves on Lady Mary's tiara.  

Image from Joann.com

I ended up finding this necklace bottom with metallic leaves from Tori Spelling's jewelery line, and although they were a bit larger than my inspiration piece, I figured it was the closest that I was going to get.  I bought it, along with a pretty sparkly piece from the same line (I couldn't find a photo of it online).  I also bought a thin metal headband.

When I got home, I bent the small metal rings that held the leaves onto the necklace, and pulled off some of the metal leaves.  I just used the silver leaves, but there were also some gold ones, too, that could be used to make another headband.

First I glued the sparkly piece onto the a small piece of black felt using E6000 glue (which is very strong).  Then I glued the felt piece attached to the jewelry to the headband. Then I glued a matching felt piece to the other side of the headband to make sure that it was nice and secure.  

Next I glued the metal leaves onto the headband using E6000.  I arranged them so that they were overlapping each other and not perfectly straight.  You could also use felt to secure the leaves onto the headband if you wanted to.  I added some small rhinestones to add some sparkle to the piece.  I left the headband alone overnight so the glue could dry.

I love the way the final headband looks!  Sparkly, elegant, and unique.

If you love Downton Abbey, or tea parties, you can see my Downton Abbey Tea Party post here, and print out a free printable Downton Abbey quiz to test your knowledge (and your friends' too) of the show and the characters.  I made it a bit challenging, so if you're a fan of the show, you can go here and see how you do!  

If you liked this project, please follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Bloglovin', and Instagram.

xo, Laura

Exciting Opportunities with Initials, Inc.

I am excited to share with you a company called Initials, Inc., a direct sales company that offers amazing personalized bags, home products, and gifts.  One of my favorite things about this company is that everything can be personalized for FREE!  Cool, right?

Initials, Inc. recently sent me a black tote bag with my initials stitched in black onto the bag, and I have been taking it everywhere!  The bag is the perfect size- not too small (I have four kids, after all!), and not too big.  I love the personalization on the front, too.

There are three great ways that you can get started with Initials, Inc.

1- SHOP.  Initials, Inc. offers on-trend, high quality products that come in beautiful bright colors and bold prints.  And don't forget, everything can be personalized for FREE!

2- HOST.  You can host a party for your friends and receive free and half-priced products!

3- JOIN.  You can join and start your own successful business!

Initials, Inc. offers a unique business opportunity for women, plus unlimited earning potential, award winning training, and beautiful products that you will love to represent.  New Initials Inc. consultants make an average of $49 per hour, and will earn 25% of everything she sells!  Most creative partners are able to pay for their starter kit after throwing just one party, and can earn $585 worth of FREE products and services in their first 90 months through SMART START.

The founders of Initials, Inc. are sisters who were new mothers who chose to give up their careers to start their families, but still wanted a creative outlet and a chance to use their business skills.  The company started in 2005 as a small embroidery and monogramming business, and has since become a multi-million dollar business with over 10,000 consultants, and has received a DSA/ETHOS Award for Salesforce Development.  You are part of a team with Initials, Inc., and will be on your way to a great success as a consultant with their innovative iMap, Smart Start, and iRewards programs.

If you would like more information, or would like to speak with a consultant, you can visit their website, or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

xo, Laura

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Initials, Inc. The opinions and text are all mine.

Picking a Perfume: 4 Tips for Finding Your Own Signature Scent

This post on picking a perfume and how to find your own signature scent is a sponsored post for Collective Bias®.

Isn't it amazing how a perfume scent can trigger strong memories, or remind you of someone years later? My grandma wore Shalimar perfume, and would let us put her shimmery powder on after swimming at her house. I loved my grandma so much, and although she has since passed away, when I smell Shalimar a flood of happy memories dance in my head, and I feel like I am back at grandma's house again.

I have always been a perfume girl, getting my first bottle of perfume in elementary school. I honestly don't leave the house without spraying perfume, or at the very least a body spray, on my skin. When I wear a perfume that I love, I find that it gives me confidence, and I have a happier, more positive outlook on my day.  

If you follow me on Instagram, you might already know that my tween daughter has been a bit obsessed with Justin Bieber. She has all his albums, and we drove up to L.A. for his concert recently, just her and I for a fun mom and daughter night out.  


Here's a little clip of the concert from my Instagram... just for fun!


When the Someday by Justin Bieber perfume came out, I remember going to the department store with her to try it out. I was VERY surprised at how much I loved the scent, and made a mental note to myself to buy it "someday" (pun intended!).  

Last week while shopping at Walmart I was surprised to find the same Justin Bieber fragrance selling at Walmart for a whole lot less than I saw it at the department store- AND it even came with a bonus lotion and had a $3 coupon attached to it... score! Now there was no excuse not to buy it! I bought it and have been wearing it since, and am thinking that I have definitely found a new signature scent.

So how does one go about finding their signature scent, the perfume that defines you, the scent that is "yours?" Here are some tips that I've learned along the way to help you find the perfect scent for you, your signature scent, that will make you feel great about yourself, and that will become a part of you!

1. What's your personality? Often people tend to choose perfumes based on their own personalities. Are you a romantic at heart? Then you might gravitate towards a floral scent. Do you love to have fun and feel girly? Then maybe a fruity fragrance is the right type of scent for you. Do you love being out in nature? Then a woody scent might be for you. Knowing your personality and the types of scents that you gravitate towards is the first step to finding your signature scent!  

I tend to gravitate towards fruity and floral scents, and Someday by Justin Bieber perfume has both fruity and floral scents, with a hint of vanilla and an ever so slight musk base note. In short, it smells amazing, and is light, feminine, fun, and girly! I love that it's light enough to wear throughout the day, but also lasts for quite a while, and is substantial at the same time... my new favorite!

2. Try, try, and try again. Choosing a perfume isn't about going to the store and picking the prettiest bottle, or buying a smell that your friend has because you like it. There's much more to it! To find the perfect signature scent you must test the perfume by spraying it directly onto your skin, and leaving it on all day. The scent will evolve throughout the day, smelling different when you first spray it than it will after an hour, and different than it will three hours later!  

Perfumes have three notes- the top (what you smell when you first spray the perfume, and is mostly alcohol), the middle (what you smell after the initial spray), and base notes (what you smell after a couple hours after you spray- the heavier scent that lasts). The middle and base notes of the same perfume will smell different on different people. Each scent works with your own unique body chemistry, and so it's important that you try lots of different scents to find the one (or ones) that work well with your chemistry!

3. Don't rush me. Choosing a signature scent should not be a rushed process! Take your time, try lots of different perfumes, but only one at a time. After you spray perfume on your skin, give it about 30 seconds before you smell it, since that first sniff will be mostly alcohol if you smell right away. See how it smells on you after you have been wearing it for a while. Ask family and friends what they think. If you get compliments on a certain scent that you like, then you are well on your way to discovering a new scent that might become your new favorite! I have received a few compliments from people on my new Someday by Justin Bieber perfume, which I love!


4. Switch it up! Once you have found your perfect signature scent, you can still mix it up and wear different scents for different occasions. If your favorite scent is light and fruity, then maybe you have another favorite scent that you wear at night, or during the fall and winter, that is a bit heavier. If you are headed out to a formal affair, then maybe your signature light and airy ocean scent needs to be retired for the night so that you can wear a more formal, complex scent. A day at the park or the beach definitely calls for a different scent than does a night out on the town. Being aware of the season, the event, and your even your mood can help you pick the right scent for the right time!

Hopefully this list will help you find YOUR signature scent! You really need to go check out the incredible quality and wonderful selection of celebrity perfumes available at Walmart for an incredible value! You can find department store perfume brands at Walmart Every Day Low Prices! Now you won't have to wait so long to buy your next bottle of perfume- you can buy it for less when you are doing your shopping at Walmart!

My daughter found my new bottle of Someday by Justin Bieber perfume up in my cabinet, and exclaimed with huge eyes, "Is this for ME?" I felt kind of bad when I told her it was actually for me, but now that I know I can buy it for so much less at Walmart, I'm going to surprise her with her own bottle as a fun gift. Maybe when she sprays it she can start having her own memories of the two of us, just like I have those amazing memories of my grandma associated with her perfume. Oh, and she has already claimed the adorable little key and lock charms that came attached to the perfume- they're now looking cute hanging on her backpack!

Do you have a signature scent? Have your tried out any of the celebrity perfumes at Walmart? Which would you like to try?

xo, Laura

Hair Curling 101 with Conair Curl Secret

This curly hair tutorial was written as a sponsored post for Collective Bias®, to show how easy it is to get amazing curls!  #ConairCurl #cbias

Virtually everyone who knows me has seen my hair only one way- long and straight. Don't get me wrong, I love my straight hair, but as my hairdresser sister has told me (many times), sometimes you need to mix it up!  But I'm a busy mom with four kids, and although I usually do full makeup each day, my hair is always the same.  I love the big bouncy curls that celebrities flaunt on the red carpet, but my hair never looks like that after I get a curling iron to it, not to mention the multiple burns I accidentally inflict on myself in the process!  There's got to be an easier way, right?!  Well now there is!  It's called Conair Curl Secret!

Conair has an amazing new product out called Curl Secret that I bought this week at Walmart for $99 (which is a great deal considering it sells for $150 on http://buycurlsecret.com and www.curlsecret.com). It is nothing short of breathtakingly AMAZING!!  

In under 15 minutes, I transformed my whole head of hair into a bouncy, beautiful mass of curls that I never thought possible for my stick straight hair!  The cool thing about Conair Curl Secret is that there is virtually no work involved- the machine does all the work for you, because it's an automatic curling iron!  And, unlike a traditional curling iron, there's no chance of burning your fingers, and you don't have to guess when the curl is done.  

Check out this 30 second video that shows you exactly how Curl Secret works- I promise you will be amazed!

Cool, right?!  My pre-teen daughter and I had some fun together doing our hair, and she was a pro at using the Curl Secret!  It's so easy, and she couldn't burn herself, so I had no worries about letting her use it herself to create her own hairstyle.

Here's a step by step tutorial to show you how to get those beautiful curls you always wanted:

1.  Turn on the Conair Curl Secret.  It's ready to go once the temperature indicator light stops blinking (which only takes a minute or two).  

Decide what type of curl you would like- tight spiral curls, or bigger curls or waves.  For tight curls, turn the setting on the appliance to high, and the 10 or 12 second timer setting.  For looser curls or waves, use the low setting, and 8 or 10 second timer setting.  Try out different combinations and see which settings you prefer for your hair to achieve the look that you love!

2.  Completely brush your hair, making sure it is nice and smooth.  Take a small 1/2 inch- 1 inch section of hair. Place the styler where you want the curl to start on your hair, making sure that opening of the curl chamber (the circle part) is facing toward the head.  Place the brushed section of hair into the hair guide of the machine, let go of the hair, and close the handle.  Be amazed as your hair is automatically taken into the curl chamber!

3.  The machine will beep four times, and after the fourth beep, simply release the hair by opening up the Curl Secret, and release your pretty curled hair!  Repeat with the rest of your hair.  No burnt fingers, no hour spent on curls that don't last... these curls are easy, long lasting, and fast!  I spent only 15 minutes curling my entire head, and less than 15 minutes curling my daughter's hair.  Simply amazing!! 

4.  If you want tight, spiral curls, then you can leave the curls as is.  If you want looser, more natural curls or waves, then you can fluff up the hair a bit at the crown to give a bit more volume, and use your fingers to split and separate the curls.  You can also flip your head upside down to loosen the curls and give more volume to your hair as well.  Add a light spray of hairspray over your curls to help set them. My daughter wanted looser curls, and I wanted to try medium-tight curls on my straight hair.  We got exactly the looks we wanted with Conair Curl Secret!

I am absolutely in LOVE with the Conair Curl Secret, and think it's a steal at $99 at Walmart.  For less than it costs for a cut and color for my hair, I can have multiple new hairstyles and transform my look many times with the Curl Secret.  An extra bonus to buying it at Walmart is they offered me a two year warranty on the appliance for only $9, so that if anything happens to the machine for two years, I can get a replacement.  Love that!

Be sure to follow Conair on their Facebook and Pinterest pages for all the latest in hair.  If you have any questions about Curl Secret, I'd love to answer them for you!  Leave a comment and tell me what you think about this fun new product!

xo, Laura

Linking Up Here:  Tatertots and Jello

Kids Daily Outfit Hanging Closet Organizers + Free Printable

They say necessity is the mother of invention, and necessity sure prompted this little idea of mine!

Starting next week, I have three of my kids going to three different schools, as opposed to just one school last year- ugh.  I'm terrified of being late to the first school, and then being late to the second and third schools.

I am trying to find any and every way that I can shave time off our morning routine to ensure that all children are to school on time, and I have the perfect way that I know is going to help me out, and will hopefully help you out too!

Daily outfit closet organizers for your kids' clothes!

On Saturday or Sunday I'll go through my kids' clothes with them, and we'll pick out their outfits for the WHOLE WEEK, and then hang up the full outfits together.  In front of each outfit will be these cute hanging chalkboard outfit organizers that I created as a free printable for you (and for me!).

No more digging through the baskets of clean laundry in the morning to find an outfit for school.  No more non-matching outfit choices that kids love to sneak out of the house wearing.  No more of your kids trying to wear the same outfit twice in a row.  And that stained shirt your kid loves to wear?  Not anymore!  

All outfits are ready to go and easy to grab.  Just hang the top on one hanger, the shorts/pants/skirt on another hanger, place the cute hanging outfit organizer up in front of the outfit, and they're good to go- literally!

I am still brainstorming how to add socks, hair bows, and accessories to the outfits, too, to make mornings even easier.  I'm thinking I'll make (or buy) some cute little bags to hang on each hanger for each day.

I made a FREE printable set for you to download- one set has blue text, one has pink.

Download one of two ways:

•  As a 4x6" download.  Every dayof the week is a 4 x 6" jpeg that you can upload to any photo printing site and have printed on photo paper.  I printed mine at Costco, and for two sets it cost me a whole $1.60, so only 80 cents per set!  Just click on the links below.

MON Blue

TUE Blue

WED Blue

THU Blue

FRI Blue

MON Pink

TUE Pink

WED Pink

THU Pink

FRI Pink

• As a 8 1/2 x 11" PDF.  Each set is two pages, and you can print at home (will take a lot of black ink for the chalkboard), or take it to Staples or Office Depot and print both pages for around $1.

BLUE Set of Hanging Organizers

PINK Set of Hanging Organizers

You could also laminate these, too.  

You wouldn't believe how excited my kids were to get their sets!  I was very pleasantly surprised.

Do you have any tips on how to make the morning routine go quicker?  I'd love to hear them!

If you liked this idea, I'd love for you to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Bloglovin', and Instagram.

xo, Laura

Linking up Here:  Craft-O-Maniac, C.R.A.F.T., SNAP!, Ginger Snap Crafts, Tidy Mom, 30 Handmade Days, Whipperberry, Tatertots and Jello, A to Zebra Celebrations

DIY Hair Bows + New Hello Kitty Line at Macy's

“This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and KuKee, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #KuKeeapp  http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.”

It's hard to believe that my little four-year-old daughter is about to start kindergarten... how does the time fly so quickly?!

I recently took her school shopping all by herself for a little mommy/daughter shopping date at Macy's.  They have an adorable new Hello Kitty line of clothes that my daughter loves!  

I love that the clothes are well made and have tons of adorable details, like sweet ruffles, tiny little bows, glittered flowers, and Hello Kitty zipper pulls... so cute!!

Another cool thing about these clothes is that they come with a cute little finger puppet or finger tattoos.

Her new Hello Kitty just had to come to the park with her and go down the slide!

But the fun doesn't stop just with the clothes... there's another cool feature that these clothes have!  If you download the FREE KuKee app, you and your child can scan the marker on the tag with your smart phone, which will activate a fun digital experience for your child, where they get to create their own puppet show.  Technology is amazing, isn't it?

My daughter loved being in charge of the phone, posing, and taking her own photos with her new Hello Kitty puppet!

Here's how to get started with the KuKee app...

1.  Download the KuKee app on your smart phone.

2.  Find and scan a KuKee marker.  You can start by scanning the above green marker.  You can also scan the markers on the clothes that you buy, like my daughter is doing above.  Just make sure that the tag on the clothes says "Let's Play."

3.  Activate your digital experience!

4.  Share your experience and marker with your friends and use the hash tag #mykukee.

She had so much fun posing with her new digital friends!

My daughter even set up a Hello Kitty backdrop for her puppet to take photos with! Hmmm, wonder where she learned to do that?! ;)

Her new clothes have lots of sparkly glitter details on them, so I decided to make her a set of new glitter hair bows to go with her clothes.  Here's how I made my easy DIY hair bows- you can use glitter ribbon or any other ribbon that you would like!

Told you it was easy! Now all you do is hot glue your bow onto an alligator clip or a barrette.  

These bows look great with the new Hello Kitty Line at Macy's, don't they? I made a pink glitter bow, a turquoise glitter bow, and a big pink ruffle bow for my daughter to start her school year off right!

To keep up with all of the KuKee app fun, be sure to check them out on their website, and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram!

xo, Laura