My Small Beaty.com Haul! Hey, That Rhymes! :)

        So, a few posts back I told you all about the big sale at Drugstore.com and I wanted to pop on for a few and tell you what I got. Also show you how you can save some cash. First let me show you what I got and then later I will tell you how much I saved and how I did it. So without further ado Here's My Small Haul!

        So I know it's not much, but there are a lot of products in the bareMinerals "The Big Top" box, so really it's quite a few products. Now for how much this all cost me and how I did it. All of this only cost me $30.68. Let me tell you how. First of all I went through Ebates and clicked on the link there for 4% cash back at Beauty.com. I then had a coupon from Beauty.com for $10 off of a $50 or more purchase from my last shopping trip with them. Every time you shop with Beauty.com/Drugstore.com they send you one these coupons. Now I recently found out that you can only use 1 of them per account/household per cycle of them, but that's still $10 off every month or two. And like I said before we pretty much by all of our personal care items through them when they have the items we use on sale. And when they do I stock up, save now so you don't have to pay later, it what I say. Anyway, so I also had an instore credit of $13.95. Did I forget to mention before that when you shop with them you also get 5% instore credit that you can use at either site? I think I did, but now you know. You can spend it every couple of months when they credit it to you account. I believe it's every 3 months they credit your account and then you have 30 days to spend it or you lose it. Anyway, onward ho. So I picked out this bareMinerals The Big Top set because I don't really own a whole lot of bareMinerals items. I have mostly E.L.F. mineral makeup, such as eyeshadows, blushes, etc,. so I wanted to try them out. And I had to spend $50 on their site to use my coupon, so this is what I picked out. It was on sale from $79 down to $49.

        Now I know that it's not $50 but let me tell you how great Beauty.com is. I had several of the $10 off coupons laying around and I had already used one a while back on some Juice Beauty products (my new love. If you want to know anything about them let me know and I'll do a blogpost about them). This is when I found out about the 1 coupon per cycle. I kept putting in the coupon codes for the $10 off after making sure I had at least $50 of Beauty.com products in my cart. I think I had thrown in a cheap lip balm or something. Anyway, the coupon wouldn't work. So I called them to ask why. That's when they informed me about the one per household per cycle thing. Now I have been shopping with them for many years now and I had had the issue happen a few other times where the code wouldn't work, but just figured that it was some sort of error and blew it off. I had called one other time about it but it was during the holidays so I got busy and by the time I went in to order what I had wanted to order they were sold out of the product so I never placed the order. Then when I had an issue with a product after the fact and I called about that and told them the story of my coupon not working they never told me about the one per household per cycle thing, but of course they probably didn't know the whole story either. Anyway, so I called to say, "Hey, why isn't this coupon working?". That's when she told me, but is how great their customer service is. She said, "You know what though, you are such a good customer, I'm just going to give you an instore credit for $10. So just refresh your cart before you make your purchase and it'll be there". That is why I say that I love to shop with them. If there is ever a problem, they are so helpful and fix it for you right away.

        Ok, so I got a little off track. Sorry, I do that a lot when it's something I'm passionate about or something I love or something that I'm excited about. So on with the discounts. Ok, so now I also have an instore credit for $10 so I use that. Now for my other two purchases, the CoverGirl mascara and the Maybelline Color Tattoo, I got them off of Drugstore.com. The Maybelline Metals Color Tattoo in Electric Blue is on sale for 42% off making it $4.09. And the CoverGirl Lash Blast Waterproof Mascara in Very Black is still on sale for 30% off and then also an instant coupon for $2.00 off making it $3.49. Then I paid with my credit card where I get 2% cash back on everything I purchase, for more savings. So I guess I should stop blabbering and give you the quick and dirty run down.

        bareMinerals The Big Top ($241 value)

                                                                         Reg price $79
                                                                          Savings -$30
                                                                        Sale price $49
                 Instore credit (or if I would've used the coupon) -$10
                                                                           You pay $39

                                                             For a savings of $40 on this item so far


        CoverGirl LashBlast Waterproof Mascara

                                                                Reg price $7.79
                                             On sale 30% discount -$2.30
                                                               Sale price $5.49
                              Subtract also the instant coupon -$2.00
                                                                  You pay $3.49

                                                     For a savings of $4.30 on this item so far


        Maybelline Color Tattoo Metals Gel Shadow

                                                              Reg price $7.00
                                            On sale 42% discount -$2.91  
                                                                 You pay $4.09

                                                  For a savings of $2.91 on this item so far


                                                                                    My total was then $46.58
               Drugstore/Beauty.com cash back rewards for previous purchases -$13.95
                                                                         Ebates cash back rewards -$1.30
                                                                  Credit Card cash back rewards -$0.65
                                                                                        I paid a total of $30.68

                For a total savings of $63.11 with all coupons, discounts and cash back

        That's a 200% savings my friends and that doesn't even take into account the savings that you originally get for The Big Top set of it being a value of $241 for $79 to begin with. Best thing is that I ordered it Friday evening and literally got it Saturday afternoon. Now that's some fast shipping.

        That's just a little window into how I shop and save money on the items we need or want. So if you have any questions at all on how I shop or get good deals on the items we buy, don't hesitate to ask. I'm always willing to help others save money as well. And these items are still on sale now as well speak, so if you want to get in on the deal, I would head on over to Ebates and sign up if you haven't already and then follow the link to either Drugstore.com or Beauty.com (either one as they are combined so you get the same cash back for both/either).

        So if you go shopping and find great deals or if you go there and save some money, come on back and let me know in the comments. I'm curious how much you save and what you got. And don't forget if you want swatches or reviews, let me know as I'd be more than willing to do that for you as well. Might even make a video review/tutorial for it if you ask nicely. :) lol But for now I'm going to say Toodles and sign off. Chat with you all soon!!

        Huge Hugs,
        Jewel S. ;o)

Remember to Love yourself above all else because no one will ever Love you like you!!

Easy Peasy Honey Mustard Sauce

        My kids love honey mustard sauce on almost everything from hot wings to sandwiches. You name it, they'll put it on it. Here's my quick and easy recipe for delicious Honey Mustard Sauce.

Honey Mustard Sauce

   1 Cup Mayonnaise
2/3 Cup Honey
1/3 Cup Mustard of your choice

        Just put it all in a bowl and whisk it till it's smooth and creamy. It's that easy.

        Try using different types of mustard with this sauce such as spicy brown, wasabi (my youngest sons favorite), chipotle, southwest, champagne dill, etc,. There are so many mustard flavors on the market today that you can literally make it different every time you make it. Try it and tell me what you think or share your favorite honey mustard recipe. Hope you like it!

        Hugest of Hugs,
        Jewel ;o)

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Make-Up Look/Tutorial!

        So I decided to again try out my Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette today. I'm just not impressed with it at all. The colors are not pigmented at all and they just don't blend well. They're patchy at best if you can get them to show up. But since I paid for it, I decided to give it another try. This is now my 3rd time using the palette and again, I'm just not impressed. For the money I paid for it I really and truly expected so much more. But I honestly have to say is how I feel about all of the Too Faced Palettes. They are so pretty to look at that they make you want them. But in my opinion, the quality is just awful. I have many of their palettes, so don't think that I have only this one and that it's just a bummer, it's ever one that I have. I do like the lashGASM and Better Than Sex mascaras, if you layer them in said order (lashGASM for length first and then Better Than Sex over it for volume), but again for the price I can find better ones at the drugstore that don't cost as much. With that said here are a few pics of the look I came up with:

        I know the pics aren't the greatest, I shot them on my phone and the lighting wasn't the greatest so they're a little grainy. But if you read on I did an eye chart with more description of what I did down below.

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Tutorial

         1. Milk Chocolate- I used this for my transition color using my Sigma E35 as well as swept it under the eyes with my Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush for a smoky effect. This color was very patchy and took several times of going over it with a clean blending brush to get a smooth finish. But when I was blending it out it was disappearing so I had to keep re-applying it as well.

        2. Champagne Truffle- I used this on the inner two thirds of my lid as well as in the corner and beginning of lower lash line with my Sigma F70. This was not pigmented at all so I had to keep going over it and over it to get a smooth color payoff.

        3. Candied Violet- This I used on the outer third of the lid using my Sigma F70 and blended it into the Champagne Truffle on the rest of the lid. This color looks gorgeous in the palette, but again it is patchy and not pigmented. I had to re-apply and re-apply it and the color is not as purple as it looks in the palette either. It looks like a nice dark purple, but when applied it looks more like a brownish grey with a hint of purple. And the glitter does not show up at all.

        4. Black Forest Truffle- This I put in the crease area with my Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush but not all the way to the inside. I kept it to the outer two thirds of the crease area. Again, this shadow was patchy and I had to keep dipping in the product to get a decent color payoff.

        5. White Chocolate- I used this as my browbone highlight with my E.L.F. Studio Eyedhadow C Brush. Then I went back over the transition color with my Sigma E35 to smooth out the edges of the crease and brow bone color. This really had no color at all. I was tempted to use my favorite highlight color from the Wet-N-Wild Walking On Eggshells palette, but I did not. I was bound and determined to just use my Chocolate Bar palette.

        6. NYX Eyebrow Pencil EP06 Taupe- When doing my brows I really hate the look of the lightest part of the brow being in the beginning of the brow. I know they are being called the "Instagram Brows". I have never done my brows that was and I personally don't like it. My brows naturally start out dark in the thickest part of the brow and then get lighter as they taper out on the ends. So that's how I like to do my brows when filling them in. I personally have always done it this way and feel that it looks more natural. So I fill in my entire brow with the taupe pencil. 7. Then I go in with NYX Eyebrow Pencil EP05 Dark Brown and go over the first half of my brow and blend it in for a smooth transition. I also set my brows with a little translucent powder and then brush them out for not only a more natural look but staying power.

        8. Last but not least, I first lined my lower lash line with NYX Glide on Eye Pencil in SL10 Purple Blaze. Then I blended it out with my Sigma F70. Then again using my Sigma F70 I smudged it out with Candied Violet.

        Here is a list of the other products I used in case you are interested. I do put my foundation, concealer, powder, etc,. on first before I do my eyes. And I always use a lid primer that I blend not only on my lid but also in my brows to help them stay all day as well.

* Primer- Laura Geller Spackle & NYX Shine Killer in my T-zone

* Foundation- CoverGirl + Olay 120 Creamy Natural

* Undereye Concealer- CoverGirl + Olay Concealer Balm 310

* Facial Concealer- CoverGirl + Olay Concealer Balm 320

* Rimmel Stay Matte Powder- Translucent. I use this to set my concealers since I'm olive complected and concealer always oxidizes on my skin. This prevents it from doing so.

* All Over Face Powder- Laura Geller Blance-N-Brighten Foundation in Medium

* Eyelid Primer- E.L.F. Mineral Eye Primer

* Mascaras- Too Faced lashGASM first for length and then Too Faced Better Than Sex over top for volume.

* Winged Eyeliner- Physician's Formula Eye Booster in Ultra Black

* Contour- Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer. Now I do totally love this Too Faced product, still don't think it's a good price, but I do love it.

* Blush- Laura Geller Baked Blush in Bali. I absolutely love Laura Geller blushes. My other fave is Boysenberry.

* Highlighter- Laura Geller French Vanilla

* Demattifying Powder in T-Zone- Essence All About Matt!

* Lip Liner- NYX Retractable Lip Liner MPL12 Dark Red

* Lip Color- Manna Liplocked Priming Gloss Stain in All of You

* Lip Gloss in center of lips- NYC Liquid Lipshine in Prospect Pink 576

        Overall the Chocolate Bar Palette is just not pigmented, goes on patchy and is so powdery. Now I will give a little tip I learned a long time ago. If you are using an eyeshadow that has glitter in it or is powdery or has a lot of fallout, use a stiffer brush rather than a fluffy brush. Use a brush like the Sigma F70 or the E.L.F. Studio Concealer brush. They give you more control to pack the eyeshadow on as where as the fluffier brushes have a tendency to cause the shadow to disperse more and get everywhere. If you have the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette and you love it, then that's great. It just really doesn't work well for me. If you have any pics of eyelooks using the Chocolate Bar Palette feel free to send me some pics. Or if you have had success using it, then please give us some pointers as to how it works for you. I would love to hear and I'm sure so would others.

        If you would a like a review or make-up look using certain colors or palettes, please let me know. I would love to do some for you. I'm still waiting for my studio to get done so I can start doing actual videos. So this will have to do for now.

        Hugest of Hugs and Blessings Always,

        Jewel ;o)

My Rose & Gold Glittery Nail Polish for The Week!

        So this week I wanted something sparkly and pink on my nails. This is what I came up with, glittery rose on all of my nails except my accent nails which are glittery gold. I think it's girly, flirty and fun.

        The polishes I used are;

For the rose nails:

        L.A. Colors "Dazzle" as my rose base color

        Pure Ice "Spit Fire" then

        Finger Paint "Hue Left a Message?" On top

For the gold nails:

        L.A. Colors "Deluxe" as the gold base color, and

        Sally Hansen Extreme Wear "Set the Stage" glitter on top

        So what's on your nails this week? I want to know, post me some pics and product descripts.

        Big Hugs to You All!

        Jewel ;o)

theBalm On HauteLook Right Now!!!

        Just wanted to pop on and let you all know that theBalm is on HauteLook right now. I just scored a backup NUDE'tude palette for $18 (retails for $36.00) and the new Balmsai palette for $19.50 (retails for $39.50). They also have tons of other palettes, lipsticks, glosses, blushes, concealers, foundations, cleansers, toners, etc,. etc,. etc,. So check them out just follow this link to sign up if you aren't already a member: HauteLook

        I love this brand and I think you will too. So if you are interested in trying a few things, now is the time to do so with such great discounts that will save you money. And on top of that if you go through Ebates you can get an extra 1.5% cash back or FatWallet and get and extra 2% cash back on your order. So if you have not signed up for them yet, follow these links to sign up with them as well to get cash back on all your online purchases:

        I don't know about you, but I never pay full price for anything if I can help it. With 4 children, you have to do what you have to do to save money. So what you do is follow the HauteLook link to sign up. Then come back here to click on the link to sign up for Ebates and/or FatWallet. Once you have signed up for Ebates and FatWallet, then go to them and search for HauteLook in the search bar. Once you have searched then follow their link to the HauteLook site and make your purchases. It's that easy!

        And yes, I know that I keep bringing up Ebates and FatWallet, but like I've said before, I personally live by them. I'm always trying to get the best deals on items and I want you to be able to get the best deals as well. I don't mind sharing my tips and tricks to save money on items. That's how I can afford the things that I do. And I have to admit that it's also sort of high as well to get the best deal. I can't race or bounty hunt anymore, so this is how I get my adrenal rush these days. LOL And if you have any questions at all about how to save money, please feel free to ask me. I will post deals that I myself find, but if you find any deals you would like to share with others, please also let me know and I will spread the word. We all love a good deal, so why not share?

        The Hugest of Hugs to You All and Thank You so much for following me, commenting, asking questions and your support. It truly does mean a lot to me.

        Many Blessings,
        Jewel ;o)

Some Things On Sale You Might All Be Interested In

        So I went to pick up a few things at my favorite online drugstore and found some things you might be interested in as well. Now let me tell you how I shop. First of all I don't do any online shopping until I check Ebates and Fat Wallet. These are cash back for shopping sites that actually work. I use them and live by them. I will even order from Lowe's, Home Depot, Target, Walmart, etc,. through them and then do instore pick-up with the items already in my cart. Not only do you save money by getting the cash back through these sites, but you also only have to pay approx. half in taxes as you only have to pay state and not city taxes doing it this way. Anyway, so for maximum save-age, make sure you click on the Fat Wallet and Ebates links to sign up, in case you aren't already, for these AWESOME sites to get cash back on your online purchases. I also check both of them before I make my purchase as sometimes one will have better cash back rates than the other one.

        So at Drugstore.com you can get:

        * Covergirl Mascaras are already on sale for 20-30% off and then there's an instant coupon for an        additional $2.00 off

        * Vidal Sassoon shampoos and conditionors are 20% off plus an instant coupon for an additional $1.00 off

        * Herbal Essences, Head & Shoulders and Aussie products are also 20-33% off with a $.50         additional off coupon

        * Gillette Male Disposable Razors are 6-36% off plus buy two get one Free

        * Pantene shampoo and conditioners are also 20-36% off with an additional instant coupon for an         additional $1.00 off

        * Pantene styling products are also 20-43% off with an additional instant coupon for $2.00 off

        * Pantene Expert Collection is 20% off with an additional $3.00 instant coupon

        * Olay some products are 20-47% off with an instant additional $2.00 or $3.00 off coupon

        * Gillette Male and Female Disposable Razors are 7-20% off with an additional $3.00 instant coupon

        * Secret Deodorant is 17-25% off plus buy 2 and get an additional $2.00 off instant coupon

        That is just to name a few of the items on sale right now at Drugstore.com with additional coupons. I really do the majority of our household personal care items from them. I stock up when items are on sale. Between the cash back I get through Ebates and Fat Wallet and there's no taxes to pay when ordering from Drugstore.com and Beauty.com and the cash back rewards I get from my credit card company, I save like 15% there. Then getting items on sale and with their instant coupons as well... The amount you can save is awesome. Plus if your order is $35.00 or more you get frees shipping. And I'm not joking when I say that I always get my items literally next day. They are so on top of shipping, it's incredible. Also, make sure you sign up for their emails because they always send out additional 20% off your order promo codes and other promo codes or sales that they don't advertise on their site that's for subscribers only. And I would also like to say that their customer service is A+++++. I have never dealt with a company that is as friendly and helpful as they are. If you have a problem they take care of it and then some.

        So let me know what deals you got in on or let me know if you find any deals and I'll share them for others as well. Let's help each other save money!!

Big Hugs to You All!!!
Jewel ;o)