Xiaolin Mama Reviews

Eyes Lips Face takes over Girls Night In!

 

This weekend I played hostess to a #MUAH party (Makeup at Home Party) with e.l.f makeup.  It was super fun to experiment with new looks and introduce a line of makeup I really like.  We had 18 gals, 4 tweens and 1 six year old rolling up their sleeves for a fun time. Whether they were new to makeup or have been using it for decades everyone found something new to like.

Here are some of the comments you woulda overheard if you were at my house:

• Oooh glitter eyeliner.  Who doesn't need a little of that in your life?
• These lip glosses make the perfect stocking stuffer.
• Lip plumper - hmmm? Do they have a "de-plumper" for other parts of my body?
• I like the name of this gloss, "trophy wife".  That's me!
  
• Oops, that wasn't blush.
• I am in love with these brushes.
• Okay I would buy a ton of this stuff if I knew how to apply any of it - help!

The girls had a fun time -but what is not to love about champagne, fondue, cupcakes and makeup. Thanks to e.l.f., She Speaks and Allure Magazine.  A good time was had by all!

These were some of the party favorites:

 Fun nail polish for only $1.00 per bottle!

 

Shimmering Facial that you could use anywhere for that extra sparkle! Available for $1.00 a piece for this special stuff that smells sugary orange. 

I love Minerals Makeup. It is that quick get up and look fabulous powder.  The fancy brushes make it even more fun.  The foundation and blush is $5.00.  

Disclosure: E.L.F and She Speaks provided me with the make up to host the MUAH (Make Up At Home Party).  I provided the gals and the booze.

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Shopping at the LOFT for Holiday Looks and Giveaway

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Loft.

I have been a fan of the  Loft store for quite some time.  But as the recession hit, extra money to go shopping disappeared. So when the ladies at BlogHer and the Loft asked me to take part in a review, I jumped at the chance to check out the newest styles and update my wardrobe.

It got even better as I was paired up with the fabulous, Haley, a professional stylist who helped me pick out clothes that maximized my assets to look "hot"!  I also got to meet one of the Loft's Sales Associates, who knew everything about the store and what was in stock. She knew it all and even loaned me her "spare pair of heels" to make sure my looks were perfect. 

We were tasked with creating three looks within the store.  As I remembered, the store was airy, bumping with hip beats and the associates were eager to help.  I appreciated that the sales ladies were all different sizes and ages. It put me immediately at ease since I consider myself a "big" girl and wasn't quite sure if I'd find clothes that fit.  In so many stores, sizes 12 and up are limited, making shopping even more challenging.  When I gotta battle five ladies for the one size 14 dress, it is NO fun.

For 45 minutes I got the inside skinny on The Loft and all it had to offer. I  asked Haley a ton of questions and had a ball.  A few tips I picked up: 

1.) Doesn't matter what size you are - jewelry always fits! This season you can layer necklaces and thick, bold metal bracelets are in.

2.) Pairing chunky sweaters with skinny jeans or slimmer cut pants are key.

3.) Tshirts with a lil' sparkle can inexpensively dress up any outfit day or night.

4.) When choosing evening attire - try big color or great details.  Don't go overboard with both as they can be distracting. You'll look more like a "don't than a do"

Tassimo Suprema Hot Beverage Machine by Bosch

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Tassimo.

I am a coffee lover!  Like many, my morning cuppa joe is part of my daily ritual. The sad thing is that I am such a loser that I just can't make it myself.  Too much water or too little coffee - you the get my drift, right?  

So my husband and I have gone on in our 12 year marriage happily with coffee making squarely in his domain (along with cleaning the gutters) until the Tassimo arrived at our door compliments of BlogHer and Bosch.

This little beauty does it all.   Makes coffee, cappuccino, hot chocolate and tea in a fool proof way.  You basically insert a T-disk into the machine and the Tassimo reads the bar code, which tells it what temperature and how much water to put in to make the perfect cappuccinos.   Lemme tell you as someone who loves her morning cap - this little machine does a great job.

What do I love about the Tassimo:

• Makes a great variety of hot beverages - lattes, cappuccinos, regular cups of coffee, tea and hot chocolate!
• Anyone can make coffee, caps or whatever you want whenever you want it.  Takes thinking outta making coffee which is good because I tend to be useless without caffeine.  It was so easy to use, my kids could make the hot chocolate by themselves.
• Easy clean up:  We had an espresso machine at our house, but I hated having to clean all the parts with every use.   The Tassimo eliminates the need for that pesky frothing attachment.
• Filtered water feature
• Flavor is good - the hot chocolate was excellent and so is the regular cup of coffee.
• Fits all sizes of cups from travel mugs to tea cups.  Perfect for when I need to take my latte on the road.
• Party worthy!  I had 20 guests at a party this past weekend and the Tassimo churned out drinks like a champ.  It was nice to offer an array of hot drinks without any waste - coffee, latte, tea or cap everyone could have their choice,
• Compact size fit nicely on already full counter.