Thursday, November 29, 2012

Thoughts for the day...

I don't normally blog about my kids, although they are my everything.  I am definitely a family person!  But my daughter, who happens to be 5 & a half and in Kindergarten, has really started to read on her own.  I didn't want to push her, although she has desperately wanted to read by herself for the past year.  I have encouraged her to read with us her whole life.  I love reading, and want to pass that along to my children.  I just don't have time to read right now.

But anyway, between reading and learning to tie her shoes, she is floating on cloud 9.  There are only 6 kids in her class, including herself, that are in the shoe tying club.  She was SO excited when she was inducted into that "club" at school. 

I just LOVE LOVE LOVE seeing things through her eyes.  She is a funny, smart, creative, sassy little girl, and she just amazes me every day.  She has picked up things that I never would have thought she would.  We do watch a LOT of PBS kids... and although I don't love how much time she watches TV, I am so glad that it is educational programs, for the most part.  Hey, we all need some mindless time.  But what I love about her is that even though the TV is on, she'll be playing with her toys, coloring a picture, or reading a book.  She isn't just a zombie watching TV. 

I hope my son will be the same way!  He's already a mover and a shaker.  He can't sit still, but not in a bad way.  He loves to explore.  He's only 7 months, as of today!  YIKES!  Where has the time gone? 

I love my little family and am happy that we are complete, neurotic dog and all.  :)  What's your family like?

Thursday, November 22, 2012

12 Days of Christmas Recap

So I've taken you through each product included in this collection.  And there is a special that goes along with it!  Purchase all 12 days for only $299, and you'll get a coupon to shop with me for 15% off your purchase between January 1 and January 31.

I also have smaller 12 Days of Christmas sets, or even if you wanted to wait, 12 Hours of Christmas.  And I even have a 12 Days (Hours) of Christmas for men!  Make that man in your life fall in love with you all over again and show him how much he means to you! 

Ask me about stocking stuffers and teacher gifts.  I do gift wrap, and deliver, for free.

So, recap:
Day 1 (could be Dec 14) - Beauty that Counts Lipgloss
Day 2 (Dec 15) - Satin Lips Mask and Balm set
Day 3 (Dec 16) - Lash & Brow Building Serum
Day 4 (Dec 17) - Lash Primer
Day 5 (Dec 18) - Mascara (Ultimate or Lash Love)
Day 6 (Dec 19) - Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
Day 7 (Dec 20) - Mint Bliss Energizing Leg & Foot Cream
Day 8 (Dec 21) - Moisture Renewing Gel Mask
Day 9 (Dec 22) - Microdermabrasion Set
Day 10 (Dec 23) - Dance to Life Eau de Parfum
Day 11 (Dec 24) - Dance to Life Radiant Shimmer Body Lotion
Day 12 (Dec 25) - Satin Hands Set (Peach or Fragrance Free)

Happy holiday shopping, y'all!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

12 Days of Christmas - Day 12

Today's product:
Satin Hands Pampering Set (Peach or Fragrance Free)

The peach set has a slight peach scent and the Fragrance Free is just that, fragrance free.  Both sets include the Hand Softener, the Hand Smootie and the Hand Cream.

Use: Step 1, smooth the Hand Softener all over the hands (also great on the feet).  It is extremely moisturizing.  It helps maintain the natural moisture of the skin and replenishes hydration in dry areas.  Step 2 cleanses and exfoilates in one step.  Rub into your hands with lots of water.  And step 3, smooth over dry hands.  It provides up 24 hours of moisturization.  It absorbs quickly and provides a protective layer on your hands that lasts through several hand washings.

This set lasts for quite some time, especially if you are only using it once a day.

Retail price: $34

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

12 Days of Christmas - Day 11

Today's product:
Dance to Life Radiant Shimmer Body Lotion

This, coupled with the eau de parfum, celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Mary Kay.  It has the same lucious scent of the eau de parfum.

Leaves your skin feeling silky with a subtle shimmer and smelling wonderful.
Retail price: $16

Monday, November 19, 2012

12 Days of Christmas - Day 10

Today's Product: Dance to Life Eau De Parfum

This is a limited edition fragrance.  The top notes are a medley of floral and cirtus.  The middle notes, or the "heart", is feminine, beautiful, and expressive iwth soft floral and fruity notes.  And the third note is woody and vanilla scents. 

"Live. Inspire" Be Moved. TM" 

"Dance to Life Eau de Parfum captures the dreams, triumphs, inspirations and possibilities that are the rhythm of every woman's life.  It connects us through a universal inner beauty and invites us to share it with the world.  It is the momentum that builds when you take a chance, touch a life or live in the moment with true passion.  Dance to Life Eau de Parfum is for he woman who doesn't just go through the motions, but dances with every beat of her heart.  Whatever moves you, embrace it."

Fragrances in this eau de parfum are Wet Apple, Cassis, Freesia, Rose de Mai, Jasmine, Burgundy Rose, Ylang Ylang, Magnolia, Warm Vanilla, and Amber.

Retail price: $50

Sunday, November 18, 2012

12 Days of Christmas - Day 9

Today's product:

*A personal favorite* Microdermabrasion Set!  This set is so wonderful.  It has completely changed my skin, for the better, of course.

This set has been a top seller since it launched.  It is a two-part system.  It goes to work immediately to fight fine lines, make pores look smaller and revitalize skin so it looks noticeably softer and smoother.  The first step is the same crystals that are used by a dermotologist.  It feeds and nourishes the skin from below, which brings oxygen to the surface of the skin and stimulates circulation.  This is where you'll get your glow, ladies!

Step two feeds and nourishes the skin from above, and feels like silk.  It is comprised of the exclusive Mary Kay triple-tea complex. 

How it works: use about a quarter size amount for your face and neck, of Step 1 - Refine.  Massage it in with a lot of water.  Rinse thoroughly with warm water.  Dry your skin, and apply 2 pumps of Step 2 - Replenish.  It is safe to use about 2 times a week, but make sure to NOT use any acne products on the same day.  And it is best to wait a day, at least, inbetween uses.

Retail price: $55
-Is about 30 applications
-Clinically tested for skin irritancy and allergy
-Fragrance-free
-Oil-free
-Hypoallergnic
-Non-comedogenic

Saturday, November 17, 2012

12 Days of Christmas - Day 8

Today's product:
TimeWise Moisture Renewing Gel Mask  Now, this is a product I don't use, because I am an oily person... well I have oily skin.  It is best for Normal to Dry skin types.  So all the claims that I have on this one, are from the company.

This mask was formulated with scientifically studied ingredients that help qunch your skin's thirst in addition to other skin-loving benefits.  Signs of stress disappear, as skin feels calmed, purified and nourished.

This mask instantly hydrates, while also locking in moisture.  It helps skin feel firmer, healthier, smoother and softer.  It also helps reduce the appearance of pores as well as fine lines and wrinkles. 

How to use: apply a thick, even layer to cleansed skin.  Leave on for 5-10 minutes, and remove with a warm, wet washcloth.  Gentle enough to use 2-3 times per week.

Retail price: $20
-Suitable for sensitive skin
-Oil-Free
-Fragrance-free
-Non-comedogenic (doesn't clog pores)
-Dermatologist tested
-Ideal Skin Types: Dry to oily skin*

*I don't know many oily skin types that want to add moisture to their skin.  But if you are willing to try, let me know, and I'd love to get your honest opinion of this product. 

Friday, November 16, 2012

12 Days of Christmas - Day 7

Today's product:

Mint Bliss Energizing Leg & Foot Cream.  Oh what can I say about this AWESOME product?  It is amazing and will make your feet and legs feel devine!

The cream has a cool mint formula that helps feet and legs feel revived.  It makes your feet feel great, if you are on them all day long and it is moistruizing, as well.

Retail price: $10


Thursday, November 15, 2012

12 Days of Christmas - Day 6

Today's product is one that I have already highlighted.  So I am going to link back to that post.  It is out Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover!

Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover

Enjoy!

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

12 Days of Christmas - Day 5

Today's product:

MASCARA!  I don't know a single woman that doesn't love mascara and we have the BEST!  (Yes, I am biased!)

Today's product is our mascara, either the Ultimate or Lash Love mascara.

Ultimate Mascara:
Retail price: $15

This formula is extremely volumizing and super-thickening!  It is smudge, flake, and clump reisitant.   It creates big, bold lashes that stay seperated all day long!

It comes in Black and Black/Brown.

Lash Love Mascara:
Retail price: $15

This comes in two formulas, water resistent and water proof!  Lashes appear fuller, lifted and multiplied.  The special brush is flexible, and seperates and coats all lashes, even fine and hard to reach lashes!  Looks natural and soft, flawless finish.  It also has an exclusive Panthenol Pro Complex and vitamin E to help moisturize, strengthen and condition lashes.  This formula defines, defends and delivers four times the volume without looking overdone!

Visit my website to learn more about either of these formulas or to place an order: www.marykay.com/lizherman


Tuesday, November 13, 2012

12 Days of Christmas - Day 4

Today's product: Lash Primer

Okay, so I use this product, but not regularly.  So we both are going to learn something today! 

This product gives your mascara a little boost to deliver the look of longer, more voluminous lashes.  It instantly intensifies lash volume and creates longer-looking lashes.  It also strengthens and helps condition lashes and lifts your lashes and helps them stay curled longer.

It is a clear formula, and the company has promoted this as a clear mascara for that "natural" look. 

Retails: $15
-Ophthalmologist tested
-Suitable for contact lens wearers
-Suitable for sensitive eyes


Monday, November 12, 2012

12 Days of Christmas - Day 3

Today's product is one of our newer products, and a personal favorite of mine, the Lash & Brow Building Serum.  This product is AMAZING.  It rebuilds and thickens your lashes, and brows.  (I haven't tried it on my brows, but my lashes look amazing now, because of this product.)

Okay, company material on this product:
This product helps lashes look fuller, and thicker and have more volume.  Just use it once a day for 30 days & you'll see the results that women everywhere are talking about!

So, an independent study done with this product said that 7 out of 10 women said their lashes look fuller.  80% also said that it helped reduce lash loss during makeup removal (don't forget about our Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover).  77% said it reduced las hbrittleness and breakage.  76% said the look of thin, sparse lashes was improved and 65% said the look of thin, sparse brows was improved.

I have used this product and LOVE it.  What you do is make sure to use your Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover and remove all your eye makeup, at night.  If you wear contacts, you need to take them out before using this product.  Then unscrew the top, and brush the gel on your lash line (where your lashes meet the skin).  Leave it there all night to do it's magic and in 30 days, viola!  Gorgeous lashes!  For brows, just brush on the gel on sparse or bare areas in the direction of hair growth. 

Retails: $38-Ophthalmologist-tested
-Suitable for contact lens wearers
-Suitable for sensitive eyes

12 Days of Christmas - Day 2

*Please excuse me, I forgot to post this yesterday.  So you will get 2 in one day!


Day 2:
Satin Lips Set - this 2 step set gently exfoliates and moisturizes your lips.  It helps with dry, chapped lips, and gives you those kissable lips.

Retail price: $18

Visit my website to learn more about it, or to purchase (www.marykay.com/LizHerman)

Saturday, November 10, 2012

12 Days of Christmas - Day 1

Okay, so I have decided to share with you what we call our "12 Days of Christmas" set... you'll get to see one product per day!

So Day 1:
The Beauty that Counts.  Every year, Mary Kay helps to change the lives of women worldwide, through the Mary Kay Foundation.  For the past several years, we have had lipsticks or lip glosses that are limited edition colors and $1 from the sale of each, goes to help change the lives of women.

Retail price: $14 each, with $1 from each sale going to the Mary Kay Foundation

Check out my website (www.marykay.com/LizHerman) for more information or to purchase these lip glosses.

ALSO, my personal goal is to sell 100 of these by December 15.  When I do, I'll be donating $100 to the Mary Kay Foundation.  So we will be doubling our donation to help women worldwide!

If you would like to read more about the Foundation and their work, please visit: http://www.marykayfoundation.org/Pages/Home.aspx

Friday, November 9, 2012

One of my favorite products!

Okay, so I haven't really mentioned my business much in this blog, yet... because I wasn't sure which way I wanted to take my blog.  BUT it is about time. 

So, I wanted to tell you all about one of my all time FAVORITE products!  In fact, it is one that my customers love and I have a hard time keeping it on my shelf.  It is our Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover.  It cleans all your eye make up, waterproof and regular mascara, easily and gently.  It doesn't leave your eyes feeling greasy either.  It is hypoallergenic and safe for contact wearers, I know I am one.  It has been tested by opthamologists.

How you use it is to shake the bottle until the two formulas mix and become a milky color, squirt some on a cotton ball or round, and gently wipe away your eye makeup.  I like to place the cotton ball on my eye for a minute to let the solution absorb the makeup and then wipe.  I feel like it comes cleaner when I do that. 

It is not oily, at all, even though it looks like it.  In fact, it is made up of (and here's where I'm going to get all scientific on y'all! hehehehe) poloxamer 184 and cyclohexasiloxane, and other things.  The first is the cleansing agent, and the later is the solvent and emollient. 

It is also great to take lipstick off your lips without making your lips become red or irritated.  It helps when you are trying lipstick colors, so that you can get a good idea of the true color of the lipstick and how it reacts with your lips. 

Retail cost: $15


Too cool, when I googled the product, we were mention in Allure magazine in 2011.  Here's the link: http://www.allure.com/beauty-products/skin/2011/mary-kay-makeup-remover

To read more about this awsome product, visit my website (www.marykay.com/lizherman). 

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Holiday Traditions

For me the holidays are an amazing time of year.  First off, my birthday happens to fall between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  In fact, my birthday is 2 weeks to the day before Christmas... my birthday is December 11.  When I was little I once told my mom that I was so lucky because I got birthday presents (mainly talking about my toys here), and then two weeks later, I got Christmas presents.  I said that I could get bored with my birthday presents and then viola, new toys to play with!  (I think I was 5... so give me a break here!)  HA!  Anyway, I'm changing lanes without signaling here...  Back to my topic at hand. 

Holiday traditions!  That's what I intended to write about today.  Holiday traditions.  Over the years, our family tradtions have changed.  When I was younger, and my grandparents were still alive, we would all go over to my dad's parents' house on Christmas Eve to have dinner.  We weren't allowed to go into the living room, because Santa hadn't been there yet.  And my parents and grandparents would tell us that all the boxes in the living room were just empty boxes, again because Santa hadn't filled them up yet. 

At my grandparents' house on Christmas Eve, my grandmother would make a TON of food (too much food, of course).  And we would eat and enjoy time together.  Then we would all go home and go to bed. 

The next morning, after opening presents at our own home, we would start the journey.  We'd start with brunch at my dad's parents' house.  Where my grandmother would make an even bigger spread of food than the night before!  And she would always use the left over ham, from the night before, and make ham salad.  I only ever liked her ham salad.  Then one of the adults would sneak outside and ring the doorbell.  This was to let us know that Santa had been to their house and filled all our empty boxes.  Then my grandfather would start handing out the gifts.  He'd usually have myself, my sister or one of my cousins help him.  And we would all open our presents.  One of my grandmother's best friends used to buy us a new book every Christmas.  I read some books I had never even heard of, but am so happy I did, because of her.  It was awesome.  Usually, when we finished opening presents, my sister and I would start reading our books.

Then, we'd all load up the car, and head over to my great Aunt's house, my grandmother's sister.  She usually would rush out of Christmas morning at my grandparents' house to get back to her house.  Where she would have even MORE food... and some presents.  We would open those presents, eat again, load up the car again... and drive to another house... and another...  and another.  Well not really, but it felt that way!  My dad has said that we did, when I was really young, visit a LOT of people on Christmas day.

Our last stop was my mom's parents' house.  Where we would have dinner.  My mom's parents were Greek... so we not only had traditional American Christmas foods, but we'd also have Greek foods.  And more presents.  My dad used to say by the end of the night, the car was so full, his pants were so tight and we were all exhausted!  But it was fun.

As I grew older and my grandparents passed away or just weren't able to host Christmas any more, my parents started to host it.  We stopped driving all over Chicago on Christmas day... and stayed home.  The nice part was that my mom's side of the family and my dad's side of the family could all be together for Christmas dinner.  And then we added to the family, as my sister got married, and I got married... and we had kids, and my cousin had kids...  But now, my parents no longer own that house (the house that I grew up in).  And I'm just too far away to go home for Christmas.

Instead of dreaming of a white Christmas, I dream of a warm Christmas with palm trees.  My parents traded in their Mid-western address for one in Florida... and I'm not complaining.  We usually go to my parents' house in Florida for Christmas, for now.  It is an easy drive from NOLA to their house in FL and we like being together.  We now invite my in-laws to spend the holiday with us and my parents.

So what are your holiday traditions?

Monday, November 5, 2012

Happy Monday - Funday

So I know I've been MIA lately.  Life just got busy... between work, kids, my business, my hubby and my neglected house, there just wasn't time for me!  I'm a HUGE believer that everyone should get to spend SOME (not all... just some) time on themselves and by themselves, doing what they love to do.

For me, it's crafts.  I made Cutie some hair bows this weekend.  I only finished two, but I think they turned out adorable, if I do say so myself!  I'll post pics tomorrow, if I remember to take them.  I of course got my inspiration from Pintrest.  There are a lot of GREAT turtorials out there.  I enjoy making them, and Cutie LOVES wearing them. 

I am slowly, but surly, making my way through my Pinterest pins.  HA!  I may be old and gray before I make it through all of them!  Hehehehehehe.... LOL.

So anyway, not that I am a football fan, but living in the South, you kind of have to be.  It is an exciting weekend for football.  (Not that I watched any of the games.. but from what I hear from everyone, it was!)  HEHEHEHEHE!

Anyway, find me on Pinterest, if you want... my Pinterest is: pinterest.com/violets1211

And share with me what your favorite pin (doesn't have to be mine) is.  I'd love to connect!

(Just a little Monday Morning/afternoon humor!)  Bring it on, Monday!