Friday, June 3, 2016

HELP US GET TO NATIONALS

HEY EVERYBODY AND WELCOME BACK......

As most of you remember, our kids recently participated in our state fine arts competition and did a fantastic job.  Our daughter won an invitation to the National Fine Arts of the Assemblies of God competition for her SONGWRITING, FEMALE VOCAL SOLOR SR, BOOK CHAPTER, AND SHORT SERMON categories.  (click respective words for link to the performances)  Our son won a national invitation for his digital photography, graphic design, and t-shirt design categories.  We are so very proud of them.

The national competition this year is being held in Louisville, KY and we are in the process of raising funds to get them there.  They will be representing our great state on a national level.  If you saw their performance and artwork, then you are full aware of how talented they are and how much they deserve the chance to participate.

The festival is being held August 1 - 5, 2016 but we need your support before July 15.  Please take a moment to consider what you might be able to do to help us.  Most of you know the struggle we have been going through financially with the renovation of our home due to black mold.  Unfortunately, this process has stripped us financially so we can use all the help we can get.


If you would like to help us out, you can do so in one of three ways (or in all ways):

1.  You can help by donating through our GoFundMe account.  (click on highlighted words for link)

2.  You can help by ordering a custom made T-shirt.  This is the t-shirt design that won a national invitation, and you can order one.  (click on highlighted words for link)

3.  Give to us through paypal by entering rosesinfl@yahoo.com in the friends and family donation link from the homepage.

I want to thank you in advance for helping our kids in this way.  You guys are awesome!

Remember, you were created for purpose so go be all you can be!

Love,
Deena xoxoxo

Thursday, June 2, 2016

FLASH GIVEAWAY

HEY EVERYBODY AND WELCOME BACK.......

It's time for another giveaway!!

That's right.........it is most definitely giveaway time!! (You know I just can't help myself!!) 

This time I have 4 packages of the specialty paper clips from the Jot brand at Dollar Tree.  Yep, I was finally fortunate enough to find all four designs in my local store.  Yay me!! 

Because I know that many of you are still on the hunt for these clips, I have decided to give away one full set to one of you at random.



WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE GIVEAWAY:

1 Package of the arrow clips.....













1 Package of the bow clips......











1 Package of the heart clips........













1 Package of the star clips...........












This is a full set of 4 packages of the decorative paper clips and it is going to the one of you who will be chosen randomly.


GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

This FLASH giveaway will be open until midnight, EST, Thursday night, June 2. 2016.  At midnight, EST, the contest will close and a winner will be randomly chosen from the comments below.  The winner will be announced on YouTube some time Friday, June 3, 2016.


RULES FOR ENTRY:

1.  Must be 18 years of age or older or have a parents permission to enter.
2.  Must be a U.S. resident or have a mailing address within the continental United States.
3.  Must leave a comment below containing your name and stating which design is your favorite.

**Winner will be randomly chosen from the comments below**

Thank you so much everyone for entering the giveaway.  Best wishes to you all and happy contesting.  And, REMEMBER ~  you were created for purpose, so go be all you can be!

Love,
Deena xoxoxo

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

ARE DOLLAR TREE COSMETICS WORTH THE MONEY | FOUNDATION REVIEW

HEY EVERYBODY AND WELCOME BACK........

Say the word Dollar Tree and watch me smile :)

That's right, like the rest of you, my face takes on a brighter tone when the subject of Dollar Tree comes up ~ especially when talking in the area of cosmetics!!  (yes, although i try to hide it, i am secretly a frilly girly girl who loves make up and nail polish)

I have been buying fun little cosmetic items at the Dollar Tree for years.  Things like nail polish, nail art, eye shadow, blush, and lipstick.  But, in all my years of shopping at Dollar Tree, I have never purchased an "important" cometic items such as foundation, eyeliner, or mascara.  For some reason, buying foundation - the building block on which all things rise and fall - seemed like a moronic thing to do.  After all, could a "dollar store" foundation really provide the miracle working magic of a top quality product like Cover Girl or Revlon?  I dared not try because.............(whispering).... I am vain!  Shhhhh.....that isn't supposed to be common knowledge, you know!?!

Recently I accepted a challenge from my daughter who thought it would be fun for me to do a whole face of make up with nothing but Dollar Tree products.  (if you are interested in seeing how well those items performed, click here)  Per usual, when I am offered a challenge, I accept.  (well, only if it's a challenge i feel i can rise to the occasion on)  So, off to the Dollar Tree we went to load up on goodies that would result in a masterpiece.  (well, at the very least a cheap imitation of a masterpiece)  

We loaded up good! From foundation to mascara, we bought it all.  A full face of make up from Dollar Tree.  And the neat thing about it?  We spent just $12.00.  In the video I previously mentioned, one can easily see how well the make up applied and how it looked upon application.  In that video I was able to give some first impressions of the products we bought, but what I was unable to do, however, was give a detailed assessment of the products after some wear and tear.  Now that I have had a chance to wear the products and do a full test, it is my hopes to do that for you today :)

Because of my love for organization, I feel it necessary to begin my reviews of these cosmetic items at the very "foundation" of the list. (see what i did there?  brilliant, huh!?!)  I mean, what good would it do you to know how good a highlighter is if it's just going to fall off the foundation under it, right?!?

First up on the foundation list is the L.A. Colors liquid foundation.


I have to admit that I was very skeptical to try this product.  Weighing in at .42 liquid ounces, the $1 value seemed to be too good to be true.  While not quite as good of a bargain as the Sassy + Chic liquid foundation that weighs in at a full one  ounce, the L.A. Colors liquid foundation seemed to be a fairly good price at just a buck.

Pros

1.  Medium consistency foundation that is easily buildable for even coverage.
2.  Decent color range to fit most skin tones.
3.  Pump bottle for less waste.
4.  Applies well with brush or sponge.

Cons

1.  Light coverage.  Requires multiple layers to bring to a decent medium coverage.
2.  Greasy/heavy feeling on the skin.
3.  Breaks down with oil after about 6 hours.

Conclusion

If you have oily skin - or any blemishes on your skin that you like to cover over - this is NOT the foundation for you.  It does begin to break down at around the five hour mark and by the sixth hour, noticeable wear occurs.  It does take more of this product to provide the same amount of coverage as other foundations thereby leaving this as not such a great value monetarily.  However, this product isn't altogether terrible.  If you are in a pinch, or if money is extremely tight, then this is a viable option.  For just a buck, you can have decent coverage that will last through an important meeting.  Expect short term durability though.


Next on the foundation list is the Sassy + Chic liquid foundation.

Weighing in at a full ounce, this foundation is definitely the better deal of the two foundations on the shelf at my Dollar Tree - or so it would seem.  If the only criteria was cost per ounce, Sassy + Chic would come out on top.  However, value is determined by a great many other factors.

Pros

1.  Better value at cost per ounce.
2.  Um.........

Cons

1.  Thin and watery texture.
2.  Squeeze tube makes watery substance hard to manage.
3.  Limited color range.
4.  Extremely difficult to apply.
5.  Wet consistency that never absorbs into the skin nor dries to the touch.
6.  Wears off within the first couple of hours.

Conclusion

SAVE YOUR MONEY!  Even if you are in a pinch, this foundation is a complete waste of a buck.  After wearing this product with my oily skin, I have come to the conclusion that I would much rather just go Au Naturale than be left with the "look" this foundation provides.  I can definitely understand why it is the "better value" of the two.


Bottom line is that no matter which foundation you choose, remember:  You were created for purpose so go be all you can be!





Sunday, May 29, 2016

SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO........

HEY EVERYBODY AND WELCOME BACK......

I have a confession to make.....but shhhh.....it must be our little secret.....okay?  I am coming out of the closet ........ as a true southern belle.  I wear beautiful hoop dresses by day and corset lace ups by night.  I float down long spiraling staircases and glisten in the sunlight.  I tote my parasol overhead and extend gloved hand to every gentleman that passes by.  WAIT WAIT WAIT...pause and rewind.....(there I go again getting enraptured in the mental playground of my mind, pretending to be something other than what I am).

Long gone are the days of Rhett Butler and Scarlet O'Hara.  (another confession:  i have yet to see that movie all the way through....WHAT?!  i know, right?!)  Now we have the days of Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus.  (not even gonna try to compare that)  And, before you start to remind me that Gone With The Wind is but a mere fantasy in the mind of an artistic genius, let me remind you that the ebb of and flow of southern posterity was indeed a real thing.

Growing up in the South ...... and I am sure many other parts of the country as well ....... we gals were taught to be "ladies".  To keep our legs crossed when wearing a dress, to keep our opinions to ourselves if they weren't positive or encouraging, to use intelligent words instead of cursing, and to conduct ourselves at all times with proper decorum no matter what - those were the things a true southern belle learned at a very young age.

While all this seems quite simple, it can really be a burden.  To always be reserved and poised and to always behave with proper etiquette is tiring indeed!  Let's just be honest.....sometimes you just want to "let your hair down" and throw down!  Sometimes you just want to leave propriety at the door and let 'em have it!  Sometimes you just want to forget etiquette and dig in with both hands savagely cramming that chocolate pie down your throat.  Sometimes you just want to scream and cry and throw a big ole hissy fit right in the middle of the checkout line when the cashier tells you the debit machine is broken, AGAIN!  UGH......maybe the burden of elegance is what finally caused Miley to......... oh, nevermind ;)

Although living with dignity is important, there are times when we just need to kick back, relax, and be ourselves.  Class is one thing, but pretense, quite another.

Often times, in the quest to be the perfect little lady, it is easy to lose oneself.  The constant repression of emotion and desire quelches the spirit and brings a slow death of who one really is.  It zaps the joy and strength right out you and leaves you feeling hollow and alone.

The Bible says that laughter is like medicine.  It is good for the soul.  It gives life and brings health to the bones.

The bottom line is.......sometimes you really do need to let your hair down!  And, although it would be improper to throw down, you can "laugh down" - laugh down your sorrows, laugh down your depression, laugh down your anger, laugh down your insecurities, and laugh down the joy of Heaven.

I hope you will find a way to just be yourself.  Believe it or not, you can still be classy and proper while being real.  You can still be kind and encouraging.  You can still use the salad fork with the second course of your meal (i think it's the second course, but since i'm not 'society', i can't be sure).  And, you can still use intelligent words.  The difference is:  YOU CAN DO THEM WHILE ENJOYING THEM.

So go ahead....let your hair down....enjoy life.....be yourself.....because, you were created for purpose, so go be all you can be!