September | 2013 | Five Little Words

Archive | September, 2013

#BIRCHBLOGGERS BREAKFAST WITH MAKEUP ARTIST ALISON RAFFAELE

When I opened an email that said I’ve been selected to join BirchBox at their office on September 27th for a #birchbloggers breakfast with celebrity makeup artist and entrepreneur Alison Raffaele I was beyond excited. The first thing I thought was I’m glad I don’t wear makeup because I want her to see the natural me and what my daily regimen is so I wore only lip gloss and a little mascara. I never knew how to apply blush and eye shadow and all the girly stuff so I never used any. Some women can pull it off and some go overboard. I on the other hand say if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. I’m fine with what I see in the mirror until I get a pimple or mosquito bite. I do complain about dark circles under the eyes and never knew what to use. I was excited because it knew after tweeting with Alison she knew what she was talking about and I wanted one on one lessons in person.

I arrived early, met Alison in person and she is a down to earth person, funny, and a mom to a cute 4 yr old daughter.
I asked Alison a few questions on Twitter and this is what she had to say:
1. How did you get your start as Bobbi Brown’s assistant? (Famous makeup artist)
Alison responded : She was just finishing college when a photographer she was testing with to build her book introduced her and she knew Bobbi Brown was pregnant and going to need help so she offered to be her assistant for no pay just the experience. Alison said she had to call several times before Bobbi finally called her back said “OK, if you want it that bad, I’ll help you!!”
2. Did you got to school for cosmetology?
Alison said: No, she was self taught.
3. Was being a makeup artist something you always wanted to do?
Alison replied: Yes! She fell in love with makeup at the age of 10, and by the time she was 16 there was no looking back.
4. What are the best fall colors for eyeshadows and lipstick?
Alison said: The best colors for any season are the ones that make you feel your most beautiful.

Alison was determined and dedicated to get what she wanted and become an entrepreneur, Founder, and CCO of her line Alison Raffaele Cosmetics.

I learned some more things I didn’t know about makeup that a lot of women in attendance didn’t know as well like the CORRECT order to applying makeup is FOUNDATION, CONCEALER, then POWDER. Everyone’s face dropped.
Alison also does not use parabens, talc, mineral oil, or fragrance in her products and they are gluten free as well. It doesn’t get any better than that!! Her makeup is also lightweight on the face and easy to use. I can agree to that. I forgot I had foundation and concealer on the whole day because it doesn’t feel cakey and heavy.
For dry skin mix skin oils into your primer. Use transparent powder after concealer.
Another tip was apply concealer at the bottom of your nose because everyone is red there. Her best beauty tip from Bobbi Brown is: “Keep it simple, don’t do too much.” Alison also said “It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being the perfect you.”

I found out from the expert Alison Raffaele I am a 7 in foundation and a 6 in concealer and she sure knows what she’s talking about because I looked fabo!! Everyone including Alison said I have beautiful skin before the makeup and I appreciate it. My hubby tells me everyday too but it’s nice when others recognize it too even when you see some things you think aren’t wanted on your face like dark circles, or fine bumps.
All the bloggers in attendance were matched with the correct foundation and concealer and went home with the best tips and advice.
I would love to get some of Alison’s powders and more brushes. I know I will eventually run out of foundation and concealer so I will save my pennies for more. I advise everyone to check out her cosmetics, and once again a big thanks to BirchBox and Alison for giving me the opportunity to meet all of you in person and take home great tips and makeup. Everyone was very friendly and the breakfast was great!
Follow Alison on Twitter @Alisonraffaele or got her her website http://www.alisonraffaele.com
For all of my readers BirchBox is graciously offering 15% off everything in their shop when you spend $50. The readers code is BIRCHBLOGGERS15. It is valid through 10/15. Shop now at http://www.birchbox.com
These opinions are my own 100%, and I was not compensated. Bloggers were given gift bags with cosmetics for attending.
Enjoy the pictures!

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Categories Beauty, Blogger Event, Product Reviews, Reviews, What's Going On?

BACK TO SCHOOL MILLIONS OF COLORS GIRLS FASHION SHOW!!

28 Sep

September 19th Diva Moms held a Back-to-School Millions Of Colors Fashion Show at Craft Studio NYC. I took my daughter and I thought Craft Studio NYC was the perfect place to hold a fashion show for kids. It’s an arts and craft store that holds workshops, parties, sells toys and my daughter just knew she hit the jackpot when she walked in. Now she wants to go there all the time. Lol. I saw beautiful clothing from Millions Of Colors for ages 2-14. The children modeling the clothes looked so cute showing off the designs. Some were shy and had to be escorted, some ran through, and some just did what they had to do. I think they all did a fabulous job. Of course my daughter thought she was there to model but at the end of the show everyone was able to walk the runway. She was very happy. The kids were also were able to get glitter tattoos, enjoy delicious treats from Cakes Jagla, and take home headbands. Parents were also able to put orders in for any of the clothing that was being displayed that evening with a bonus 20% off. I just couldn’t leave without purchasing some arts & crafts for my daughter. It was a fun afternoon.
Thank you @divamoms !!
Enjoy the pics!!
For more info visit: @craftstudionyc @millions_colors Cakes Jagla on Facebook and @divamoms

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Categories Family, Fashion, Fashion Show, Kids, What's Going On?

NICKELODEON’S WORLD WIDE DAY OF PLAY IN PROSPECT PARK

28 Sep

September 21st was Nickelodeon’s World Wide Day Of Play in Prospect Park, Brooklyn NY and my kids were so excited to be a part of it. We arrived early and proceeded through the park. It was a long walk inside of the park. Once we got in the line wasn’t long at all and after security check my kids were ready to play everywhere. We started at the Zumba station where they were showing kids how to Zumba and have fun. They gave out CD’s, neon bags to carry around throughout the day, and magazines.

After that my kids going these enormous size bowling balls and pins, and toss the rings set. We also ran into Spongebob, Patrick, and the Power Rangers. The lines were long if you wanted a picture with them but my daughter took a few with the Power Rangers.

We headed over to the tennis exhibits so the kids can play one on one with the host from Figure It Out Jeff Sutphen. They were excited to meet him. I took pictures and video of them. He’s very friendly and funny.

Of course the main reason they wanted to go was to see Ariana Grande and Big time Rush perform all their songs. My daughter said she wants to marry James or Kendall. Don’t tell her I told you that. Lol. The line just to see the concert started at least 4 hours before the concert was even to begin. Everyone wanted to be in the front but when you have small kids sometimes the front is not the best. We were in the first group but I stayed near the back so my kids could sit on the gate and have a great view. There were also big screens so everyone could see.

Big Time Rush and Ariana Grande performed all their songs and sounded great live. My kids sung every single song and so did I. I hear the songs all the time in my house so I should know all the words. Lol. All the kids were excited and by the screaming and crying going on it was a hit.

Food was sold but with credit or debit cards only and there was free water stations. Birdseye vegetables also was on hand and gave out macaroni and cheese with broccoli which was delicious.

So after my kids played at a few more exhibits they were finally ready to go after a long day. If Nickelodeon comes back to New York I hope it’s in Central Park closer to home, but hubby drove us home so we didn’t have to take long train ride back. Lifesaver.
We had a fun filled day!! Enjoy the pictures!

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Categories Family, Free Events, Fun things to do in NY with Family, Kids, Travel, What's Going On?

NYC Dumpling Festival

27 Sep

Saturday, September 28th is the 2013 Tang’s National New York City Dumpling Festival at Sara D. Roosevelt Park (Chrystie St. Btwn Delancey St & Grand St.) from 12-5.
If you’re a fan of dumplings and want to see a live dumpling eating competition then this is the place you need to be. This event is free but food sample prices vary. Try dumplings from around the world like china, Italy, and Poland just to name a few. There will also be live cultural performances, and interactive games. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Food Bank for New York.
For more info visit http://www.dumplingfestival.com

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Categories Family, Free Events, Fun things to do in NY with Family, What's Going On?

WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE COMES TO HARLEM (Free Tickets)

15 Sep

I’ve been trying to become a millionaire by playing lotto, entering contests, or just hoping someone leaves it to me in their will but nothing so far. I’ve always dreamed of bring on a game show since I seem to know which ones I’m good at but I don’t have time or money to travel to Los Angeles where all the good ones are until recently when I discovered “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” was coming to Harlem. I almost fell out of my chair. I was on Facebook and saw a post and immediately called even though it was after 9 p.m I was going to leave a voicemail but someone was still in the office and his name was Daniel. He took all of my info and I told him I was a blogger and that this is a dream come true not to just be in the audience but to audition to be a contestant and meet Cedric the Entertainer who would be the host.

Our tickets was for September 4th at 9 a.m and I took my son, my sister, and my cousin along. I met Daniel in person that morning and he was very nice in person and gave us a warm welcome and great seats. We stayed for 3 tapings and departed about 12 p.m. It was a long morning but we had fun and Cedric was hilarious. There was a warm up comedian to keep the audience awake, and even though food wasn’t provided you can bring your own snacks which I suggest highly being that you’re there 3 hours. I came prepared.

You have an option if you want to take the 30 question multiple choice test. I’m not going to lie it was kind of hard. I did not pass the test this time but they welcome you back to keep taking it. It’s funny I knew the answers when they were taping but on the test it’s a little harder. I will go back again and keep trying. My family and I had fun. I was able to get a few pictures inside the studio.

I was not compensated for this post. Tickets are free and these are my opinions.
If you would like to attend tapings you can call for tickets at (212)456-1494 or go on the website at http://www.millionairetv.com
The address is 105 East 106th street New York, NY 10029 btwn Park & Lexington Avenue.

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Categories Reviews, What's Going On?

My Review on the Infiniti Pro by Conair Curl Secret

1 Sep

I love curls in my hair whether it be natural, shirley temple, or just good old fashioned rollers. This year I’m thinking of going naturally curly but I’m thinking real hard because with winter on the way I have to think what that means for my hair. I do not like dry curls. I like my hair to look curly but with a healthy, moisturized look and feel. Not tangled up and rough looking. There are lots of products I would have to buy to keep it up so I will see what I am going to do for the fall/winter season.

I was asked to test out the Infiniti Pro by Conair Curl Secret. This is a new way to create curls easy, and very fast. I used to hate curling my hair with a hot curling iron. It not only took forever, I would always burn my ear or forehead, and I’d never curl the back the way I wanted it. The curling iron would overheat and I didn’t want my hair burning off so I left it up to the beauty salon after that.

This new curling chamber is exactly what I needed years ago. There are three timer settings. You can have loose, medium, or tight curls and two heat levels. Before starting make sure the indicator light has stopped blinking. The light turns solid red when the unit is ready to curl. You only need to put 1/2 in. to 1in. wide section of your hair into the curling chamber. Close the handles and your hair will be automatically drawn into the curl chamber. Hold until a rapid beep signals curls is ready. Open to release the perfect curls.

At first I was nervous because the chamber was going to suck my hair inside and i was scared it wouldn’t return my hair. Lol. There were a few times I did it wrong but I didn’t panic. I read the instructions again and got a head full of curls and I was very impressed. It took no time at all and I didn’t have to pay my salon for this amazing look. My daughter saw me doing my hair and asked for some curls as well. I didn’t do her whole head but just one section because her hair was braided. I love the way it looks on her as well and so did she. She wanted me to continue but I didn’t have the time so I told her if I get one I will do her full head.

The Curl Secret is available in mass drugstores nationwide. For more information visit http://www.curlsecret.com, Also on Twitter @Conair_Hair

I was not compensated for this post. Theses opinion are 100% my own. I was sent the Infiniti Pro by Conair Curl Secret to test.
Enjoy the before and after pictures.