MAC paint pot...

I got a Paint Pot in Painterly at MAC yesterday (which I vlogged about on YouTube) because I convinced myself that I had to have it! I'm not really sure how to use it, but I'm assuming it's like a creme eye shadow that can double as a base. Everyone and their mother has the Painterly shade, so I went with that one. It's a very light beige and not the best nude for my lids since I'm pretty tan. Overall, I'm not seeing what's so great about it so I'm probably going to return it and get something else.

Buy This For Your Man

I bought Jason the Nivea for men cooling shave gel and I will NEVER let him use anything else from now on! It smells absolutely amazing!!! I can't stop attacking him to smell his face! It's only $2.99 at CVS.

Coastal Scents is having a sale!

My favorite site for cheap makeup and brushes, Coastal Scents, is having a Friday the 13th sale this weekend!




The sale ends on Sunday the 15th @ Midnight EST.

Mommy Must Haves: Gadgets!

I don't consider myself a "techie" per say, but there are a few gadgets that I couldn't live without. Busy mommy or not, these 4 items are guaranteed to make your life a little less stressful!

1. Google G1 Cell Phone (or other Apple iPhone comparable)

I got the G1 instead of the iPhone so I could stick with T-Mobile and spare myself the contract cancellation fee. However, almost every cell phone carrier has an iPhone knockoff nowadays. The point is, modern technology has turned the latest cell phones into handheld computers, giving you up to the minute traffic updates, weather forecasts and news. Not to mention, custom applications that let you bid on eBay auctions, calculate a tip or scan a barcode to find the best deal! I use mine at least once an hour to take down a note or calculate bills. I even listen to music on it when I'm getting ready. You can also connect to WiFi on most smart phones and surf the internet super fast! Don't forget the car charger!


2. TiVo

I couldn't even tell you what day and time my favorite shows are on anymore since I had Nikki. All I know is that when I get a peaceful chunk of time to veg out in front of the tv, they'll all be waiting there for me on my trusty ol' TiVo! I bought mine on eBay for $95 4 years ago and it's one of the best investments I ever made. Being able to FF thru commercials is like a dream and pausing live tv when the baby starts to cry is a gift only God can give.

3. MacBook laptop

Apple computers rule and PCs drool. (In my opinion anyways.) I've had 3 Microsoft-possessed laptops in the past and they've all died horrible deaths. I would say that my MacBook has never given me a lick of trouble, but I'd be lying. Truth be told, it crapped out on me last October and took all of Nikki's newborn pictures and videos and my MP3 collection with it. But, here I am today telling you all to buy one. That's because I believe in the power of Apple and in it's promise to never do me dirty like that bastard Bill Gates did oh so many times. Just make sure you suck it up and shell out the $300 for the AppleCare plan so they'll fix you up free of charge for the first 3 years. AND always remember to backup all your meaningful files!

4. Fujifilm FinePix Z Digital Camera

This is the make and model I'm currently using, but any quality digital camera will do. I don't know anyone under 35 who doesn't have their own digital camera, so I don't need to do much convincing on this one. I keep mine in my purse at all times because you never know when you'll need to capture a moment. I like the FinePix Z because it has a slide feature to expose the lens instead of a zoom. If Nikki grabs it, I can just slide it shut real quick and if he drops it, the lens won't break because it's internal and flush with the camera body. It's a 10 Megapixel and takes pretty good quality videos. (It's what I shoot my YouTube vids with!)

Sephora Coupon Code

Get FREE shipping on orders of $35 or more! Enter code SHIP35 at checkout. Expires: 03/31/09.

This is what I'll be using my free shipping for:

sephora by srqsocialite

Effortless Style

I know that everyone has their own style, but being a mom keeps even the most fashionable gal desperately searching for something that matches in the morning! I'm no fashion guru, but I think I've got "mom style" down to a science, with no high-waisted jeans or shoulder pads in sight! I have devised a shopping list (a la Tim Gunn) to help you mix & match with very little effort! Here are some suggestions for simple, versatile pieces every mom needs in her closet:

1. Fitted tees (so easy. plus, Old Navy has 'em for $5!)
2. "Wifebeater" tanks (comfy, comfy, comfy)
3. Oversized sunglasses (instantly cover under-eye circles!)
4. A printed scarf (adds flair to a tee shirt & jeans)
6. An expensive-looking bag (if you can't afford a good quality one, fake it!)
7. A casual "day" dress (wear with flip flops or sneakers, cover up with a cardigan)
8. A frilly top (dress up your jeans)
9. A classic white blouse (preppy, but not stuffy)
10. Black pants (or other jeans-alternative)
11. Quality jeans (a great investment)
12. Date nite dress (could be a little, black dress or a girly floral print)
13. A cardigan (toss it in your bag in case it gets chilly, or baby spits up on your top!)
14. A cocktail ring (dresses up any outfit)
15. Big earrings (instantly make you look put together)
16. A simple necklace (a nice addition to any outfit)
17. Pea coat (classic winter staple)
18. Flip flops (easy for out-the-door)
19. Sneakers (a necessity when chasing kids)
20. Flats (comfy AND cute!)
21. Platform Slingback Heels (they're the easiest to walk in and they're super sexy)

mommy style by srqsocialite

*All items are under $55 and were taken from Kohl's, Old Navy, GAP, Forever 21, Delias, Walmart & Target!
**Click on the styleboard for full detailed descriptions/prices.

MakeupAlley.com

Through watching the beauty videos on YouTube, I've learned about a website where you can swap makeup with other users. Say you buy a lipstick and realize the color is all wrong for you once you get home and try it out. On Makeup Alley, you can list your lipstick by brand and shade and if someone wants it, they can trade you for something they have. If they don't have a product you want, you don't have to trade with them. It's as simple as that! I've heard stories of people not fulfilling their end of the bargain and not sending stuff, but that's the risk you take when using the site. It works on the honor system, meaning that Makeup Alley can't do anything about users being shady like that. I've listed some stuff and I'm waiting for someone to want to trade with me. I also started a wish list so other users can see what I'm looking for. It's a really cool idea for makeup lovers on a budget!

Weekly Spotlight: My Favorite Websites

I'm going to try to spotlight one of my favorite websites every week for you guys. I LIVE for online shopping (well, after my family, my friends and traveling). I love discovering a new site with unique products, especially if the prices are good. I figured my readers would be interested in checking out some online stores that they might not have heard about yet. First up is FredFlare. They stock everything adorable from tees, sunglasses and jewelry to cook books and wrapping paper! They're constantly adding new items and the prices are pretty reasonable. The two fabulous guys behind the company (based out of NYC) also have a "supes cute" video podcast on iTunes. Below are some of my favorite items:

fred flare by srqsocialite

*Clockwise from top right:
hot shot! camera ring $10
Holly Golightly sleep mask $14
dapple feather headband $32
ice cream kitchen timer $10
pretty in pink bouquet dress $68
mini boombox iPod speaker pouch $24
Juno cheeseburger phone $26

Diaper Bag & Stroller Update

I thought my search for the perfect diaper bag and stroller had ended with the YakPak Olivia and Kolcraft Contours Lite Plus, but oddly enough I never ended up buying either one. I just couldn't justify spending $80-100 on a diaper bag. I stumbled upon a Spark by Skip Hop bag in the Squiggle design @ Target one day on clearance for $7.99! It was marked down from $29.99 and I totally would have paid full price! It has so many great features, I have to pinch myself every time I use it! (Ok maybe not every time.) It has two outer pockets with velcro closures (which I use to stash my keys and phone when I don't wanna bring my purse too), two zippered compartments and a mesh bottle holder on either side. It also comes with a changing mat. I love the pattern too! It doesn't show stains and it's a good neutral for dads. The best feature, though, is the straps. You can carry it on your shoulder, add the extension strap for a messenger bag effect or use the two mini straps on either side to attach it to your stroller! That way your bag is up high and you can actually get stuff out of it easily instead of having to dig around in the stroller compartment underneath, hunched over with your plumber crack hanging out for all to see. (That happens to me way too often!)


*I'll be doing a vlog on my YouTube channel about it soon and about all the essentials I keep inside it.


The Lite Plus stroller got amazing reviews on WalMart.com and I loved that the baby could listen to music from your iPod, but I went with the Kolcraft Contours Options 4 Wheel model instead. It got equally outstanding reviews, but it's much more versatile than the other version. It was about $90 extra, but I felt like it was going to be much more durable in the long run. I love that the seat can face either way, like a pram or a regular stroller. I like being able to see my son's face instead of trying to peek thru a plastic window and wonder if he's choking himself on something. It comes with an infant car seat attachment too so you can just secure the car seat in the frame and push it like a stroller.

I've only used it a couple of times so far because it won't fit into my car's tiny trunk. My old Eddie Bauer Kingston stroller fit, but I had to take the front wheels off of it first. The Kolcraft doesn't give you that option, but I can't hold it against them since my VW Beetle is just so damn small. It is very easy to fold though, almost too easy. I struggled with it the first time until I realized I was making it more complicated than I needed to. It's pretty big, but I feel like that's a good thing. It was fairly easy to assemble, but then again I pride myself on my "putting shit together" ability. There's no parent compartment up top for keys and such but there is one cup holder. The child snack tray is kinda small and I feel like my son could easily slip underneath it if he wasn't buckled. He also looks a little uncomfortable, like he's too small for the seat. (He's 11 months) The underside compartment is huge, but shallow, so it worries me that my stuff will fall out if I go over a speed bump (thank goodness I have my Skip Hop diaper bag secured up top!). I love the vibrant red color and it is easy to maneuver because of the super-sized wheels. I figure I'll hang on to it so I don't have to bother researching a new one and so I can use it for baby #2 in a couple years, at least in the beginning when I'll need the car seat cradle.

Cheap Makeup for the Chic Mommy

Lately I've been obsessed with watching makeup reviews on YouTube. I even decided to make my own channel that I'll link with my blog. I want it to include mommy-oriented product reviews and recommendations, baby and beauty essentials and tips & tricks for a stress-free life (well, less stressful anyway!) I also love to watch the makeup tutorials. I seriously watch for hours! There are links to some of those beautiful and talented ladies on my channel, under my subscriptions. Check it out!

Long story short, everyone on YouTube kept raving about this cosmetics company called Coastal Scents, their 88 color eye makeup palette in particular. I don't NEED any more eyeshadow mind you but I got sucked into the hype and just had to have one. I also needed some new brushes and I heard that they had amazing prices on them, so I went to website to see for myself. I ended up ordering the palette and 4 brushes. With tax and shipping, everything cost me $52. The products are comparable to MAC, people. You can't even get 8 eyeshadows for 50 bucks there! The packaging was cute and they included a free sample of one of their loose eyeshadow colors. The company is based out of Naples, FL which is about an hour south of me so the shipping only took a day or 2. The colors in the palette are smaller than I had expected, but they seem very pigmented and all the colors are gorgeous. The brushes shed a bit when I washed them, but they're extremely soft and seem sturdy. Overall, I am very pleased with my purchases!

Here's my haul:


Clockwise from the top:
Pink Kabuki brush $4.99
Italian Badger Deluxe Fan Brush $3.49
Pink Round Crease Eye Brush $1.49
Pink Duo Fiber Powder Stippler $7.95 <---- This is similar to the MAC 187 brush which retails for $42!
88 Piece Makeup Palette $21.95 (about 58 matte and 30 shimmer)