Delicious Recipes

Cadbury Mini Eggs candies Cheesecake Dip

If you know me in person, you know that I am in LOVE with Cadbury Mini Eggs.  They are my all time favorite candy in the history of forever!  I cannot resist their sweet perfect yummy goodness!  Easter is my favorite  season for candy!  One of my friends recently shared this delicious looking recipe with me, and I wanted to share it with all of you.
You can find the original recipe at http://apumpkinandaprincess.com
Cadbury Mini Eggs candies Cheesecake Dip | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
This picture is from A Pumpkin & A Princess website.
Ingredients
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup confectioner’s sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup Cadbury Mini Eggs candies, crushed
Instructions
  1. In a stand mixer or medium bowl beat cream cheese and butter together.
  2. Add brown sugar, confectioner’s sugar, and vanilla until well combined.
  3. Stir in Cadbury Mini Eggs candies with a spatula.
  4. Serve with graham crackers or cookies of your choice.

If you aren’t a fan of Cabdury Mini Eggs (maybe you should go get checked out by your doctor because there may be something wrong with you!) you can substitute any of your favorite Easter candy for the mini eggs.  I bet Reese’s pieces eggs  or Reese’s peanut butter cup eggs would be wonderful as well, or even M&M’s!  The candy combinations are pretty much endless!

Happy Easter!

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

 

Make up · Review · Weekly Product Highlight

Oh Sugar! Lip Balm by Covergirl

~Weekly Product Highlight~ Oh Sugar! Lip Balm by Covergirl~

Oh Sugar! by Covergirl | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

The Oh Sugar lip balms by Covergirl are a nice alternative to very similar tinted balms on the market. There are 10 beautiful shades to choose from. With Grape seed oil and Avocado butter this balm is super smooth and silky. It glides on smoothly, moisturizes well and gives just enough sheer color that it can be applied without a mirror. It has a sweet light lemon citrus scent to it. (which is one of my favorite scents!)

Oh Sugar! by Covergirl | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

This is almost a perfect dupe for the fresh sugar rose, which you can get from Sephora.  The biggest difference between the Sugar Rose and the Oh Sugar?  The price, $24 compared to  $9.

Oh Sugar! by Covergirl | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
The covergirl Oh Sugar! has exactly the same feel, and the color of the shade Candy is pretty much spot on as well- ($8.99 at CVS, but don’t forget about coupons, sales, and extracare bucks!  You can get these lip balms for a steal!) I have seen them as low as $6.99 at Target, and $7.15 at Walmart.

Oh Sugar! by Covergirl | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
Four different colors swatched. Cupcake, punch, soda and gumdrop.

What does the Covergirl website have to say about it…

COLORLICIOUS OH SUGAR! VITAMIN INFUSED BALM

 Treat your lips with colorlicious oh sugar! Vitamin infused lip balm.  With the help of grapeseed oil, avocado butter, and Vitamins C & E, it’s only natural that this delicious smelling lip treatment leaves your lips soft and nourished with a hint of sheer color.  Protect and repair lips with any of the 10 scented shades.

OVERVIEW
.    Infused with grapeseed oil, avocado butter & Vitamins C&E
.    Sheer tint adds in hint of lip color
.    Available in 10 scented shades

The COVERGIRL Guarantee. You’ll love it, or your money back.

Oh Sugar! by Covergirl | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Have you tried any of these Oh Sugar! Lip Balms?  What do you think?

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I’d love for you to follow me on Instagram Lookingjoligood and on Facebook Lookin Joli Good

PS: My sister is the one who first told me about these lip balms.  Don’t you just love sharing things you love with people you love?!

Love and Life

It’s About the Cross

Today is a very special day, it is a day where I set aside time to remember what Christ did for me when He came to earth and died on the cross for me!  I am so grateful for such a wonderful Savior! I am humbled when I think that God loved me so much that he sent His Son to suffer and die in order to rescue me from my sins!

“The Son of God loved me, and gave Himself for me! Galatians 2:20.

It's About The Cross | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

It’s not just about the manger
Where the baby lay
It’s not all about the angels
Who sang for him that day

It’s not just about the shepherds
Or the bright and shining star
It’s not all about the wisemen
Who travelled from afar

Chorus:
It’s about the cross
It’s about my sin
It’s about how Jesus came to be born once
So that we could be born again

It’s about the stone
That was rolled away
So that you and I could have real life someday

It’s about the cross
It’s about the cross

Verse 2:

It’s not just about the presents
Underneath the tree
It’s not all about the feeling
That the season brings to me

It’s not just about coming home
To be with those you love
It’s not all about the beauty
In the snow I’m dreaming of

Repeat Chorus

Bridge:

The beginning of the story is wonderful and great
But it’s the ending that can save you and that’s why we celebrate

It’s about the cross
It’s about my sin
It’s about how Jesus came to be born once
So that we could be born again

It’s about God’s Son
Nailed to a tree
It’s about every drop of blood that flowed from Him when it should have been me

It’s about the stone
That was rolled away
So that you and I could have real life someday
So that you and I could have real life someday

It’s about the cross
It’s about the cross
It’s about the cross

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Beauty Subscription

Ipsy Glam Bag March 2016

I can’t believe that another month has flown by and it is already time to receive another ipsy glam bag!  If you don’t know what ipsy is you can check out my previous post all about it by clicking HERE

If you don’t already subscribe to ipsy but you are thinking about trying it out, I’d love fo you to use my referral link https://www.ipsy.com/new?refer=uqdkx

This month’s glam bag is super cute!  Orange background with a teal rose pattern.  I love the bag print this month, it is one of my favorites so far! (Subscribers either got this version, or an opposite teal version with orange rose pattern ). The zipper is across the top, also a feature that I like.

Ipsy Glam Bag March 2016 | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook you have already seen what I received.  If you don’t follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you totally should be!

Here’s what I got in my glam bag this month…

Ipsy Glam Bag March 2016 | lookingjoligood.wordpress.comAphrodite Skin Care Replenishing Eye Cream

“This anti-aging and hydrating eye cream is a super lightweight and intensely hydrating treatment, formulated with organic extra virgin olive oil and high levels of natural active ingredients such as Argan Oil, Evening Primrose and Shea Butter to insure maximum absorption.

  • Firming and rejuvenating
  • Helps reduce fine lines, dark circles and puffiness
  • Ultra-Nourishing formula for all skin types

Weight: .5 oz”

Skone Cosmetics Insanely Intense Tattooed Eyeliner in Jet Black

“Insanely Intense Tattooed Eyeliner has a liquid felt tip pen applicator that’s super easy to use to create lines, cat eyes, or wings. It’s waterproof, smudge proof and won’t run or feather. Literally lasts ALL day – even through a workout!

  • Bold, long-lasting color
  • Felt tip applicator

Weight: .07 oz”

Ipsy Glam Bag March 2016 | lookingjoligood.wordpress.comPixi by PetraBeauty Blush Duo in Rose Gold

“This silky blush gives the perfect sheer flush on the apples of your cheeks. Its natural mineral powder formula reflects light, applies true to colour, is hydrating and feels lightweight on the skin. Each duo features two shades to be worn alone or layered.

  • Natural-looking glow
  • Apply with a fluffy soft brush

Weight: .16 oz”

Ipsy Glam Bag March 2016 | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I swear, ipsy is bound and determined to make me like nail products whether I want to or not!  Yet another nail product in this months bag!  How to I get it so that I don’t keep getting nail polish and nail related things?

Ipsy Glam Bag March 2016 | lookingjoligood.wordpress.comMargaret Dabbs LondonSuper Shiner Buffer

“The Margaret Dabbs Super Shiner Buffer is an easy to use and highly effective buffer. Unique tiny crystal technology, sets the Margaret Dabbs Super Shiner apart. Using the Margaret Dabbs Super Shiner Buffer will instantly shine and illuminate your nails, leaving a long lasting healthy and shiny sheen.

  • Leaves nails looking natural, healthy, and glossy

Weight: .6 oz”

NYX Cosmetics Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick

Ipsy Glam Bag March 2016 | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Doll up your lips with plush and vibrant color! NYX’s Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick glides on smooth and sets into a striking matte finish. Velvety soft and waterproof, this long-lasting lippie creates a positively polished look with every swipe.

  • Waterproof, liquid lipstick infused with avocado oil and Vitamin E
  • Super pigmented lipstick goes on opaque and dries to matte finish
  • Delivers long-wearing, vivid color in one creamy swipe

ipsters who sample this in their Glam Bag will receive the shade Pink LustKitten Heels, or Soft Spoken.
Weight: .13 oz

 I got the shade Kitten Heels, which is not a shade I would normally wear.  I haven’t heard good things about the formulation of these, and I am so picky about liquid lipsticks.  I may not even open this and just pass it a long to one of my friends.

How about you?   Did you get an ipsy’s glam bag?  What did you get in yours?  Were you happy with your samples?  Do you get any other monthly subscription bags/boxes that are worth trying out?  Let me know in the comments below.

If you don’t already subscribe and would like to try out ipsy you can use my referral link by clicking HERE!  Also, if you are interested in seeing my other recent posts about ipsy click HERE

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on Instagram and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on both.  I would also love to follow you as well, so let me know your user name in the comment section below!

Make up · Tips and Tricks

Tip Tuesday #5

Tip Tuesday Make up tips and tricks every Tuesday | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Here is another tip for Tip Tuesdays…

Has your mascara ever dried out before it has run out or expired?  These are two ways that you can you can easily revive it!

First add 2-3 drops of saline solution eye drops into the tube, recover, and roll it between your hands.  Magically your mascara will be usable again.

Tip Tuesday Make up tips and tricks every Tuesday | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Don’t have any saline solution eye drops?  Put your tightly closed dried up mascara tube into a mug of hot water for 3-5 minutes.  Check your mascara, most likely it will be nice and smooth again, if not reheat your water and let it sit another 3-5 minutes!

Tip Tuesday Make up tips and tricks every Tuesday | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I’d love for you to follow me on Instagram Lookingjoligood and on Facebook Lookin Joli Good!

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Love and Life

My Greatest Contribution to the Universe

The other day I was driving home after picking my kids up from school.  Out of no where my son asked, “Mom, how do you like being a parent?”  I told him “I absolutely love it, it is the BEST and hardest thing I have ever done.”  Ever since that conversation I have been thinking about it a lot.

Every day my first and most important responsibility is being a wife and mother.  Sometimes in the rush of daily life I forget that my children are not a distraction from my daily work, but that they are the most important work that I will ever do.

I have learned more from having kids than any other thing I have ever done in my life. While being a parent is the absolute best, yet hardest, thing I have ever done, it is also the most important.  I have learned that there are more important things in life than getting my own way.  I have learned that doing something for someone else makes you feel so much better about yourself.  I have learned that time flies by, and that they will only need me to do everything for them and be little for such a short amount of time.

Sometimes they are CrAzY!  Sometimes they wake up way waaaaaay too early.  Sometimes when I just want to get things done they get super silly and laugh really loud at every thing!  (Wow, isn’t it crazy how their laughing and being silly and happy can be an issue for me?!  What is my problem?!) Sometimes they say “Mommy?! Mommy?! Mommy?! Mommy?!” over and over again even when I am standing right next to them asking “What?”  Despite all that, they are a gift, a gift that I could never live without!

When I get upset or stressed out, I can always find peace in the fact that I have my family. They love me even at my worst, and they think that I am awesome, even when I am a hot mess.  So, on those days when things are not going as planned, and my house is a crazy mess, and I don’t have anything planned for dinner, and feel like I am failing as a mother; I need to stop and remind myself that I have a wonderful husband, and that no one can be the mother my kids need like I can.

 

My greatest contribution to the universe is my children. | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
I am so thankful to God everyday for the children He has blessed me with!
Make up · Review · Weekly Product Highlight

Wet N Wild Au Naturel Nude Awakening Palette

~Weekly Product Highlight~Wet N Wild Au Naturel 754A Nude Awakening Palette~

Au Naturel 754A Nude Awakening Palette | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I don’t go to Walmart very often, but I made an exception to get this Wet N Wild Au Naturel 754A Nude Awakening Palette. It is absolutely gorgeous! I am completely in love! Trust me, you need this in your life!  One thing that I love about Wet N Wild is that they are a Cruelty Free brand!  I really appreciate that they do not test on animals!

Wet N Wild Au Naturel 754A Nude Awakening Palette | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
There are 5 shades there, I am just so pale that two of them don’t show up that well, haha!

The shadows are beautiful shades, they are buttery and smooth and have a great pigment. As far as I know this is exclusively sold at Walmart and Walmart.com. I paid less than $6 for this palette at the Walmart near me.

Au Naturel 754A Nude Awakening Palette | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
This swatch doesn’t do justice to the small sparkles in the two darkest shadows.

Here is what the Walmart.com site has to say about this product…

“Get a little risque and go au naturel! Wet n Wild Au Naturel Eye Shadow features a palette of ten rose-hued shades that’s anything but ordinary. You’ve got every rose gold shade that tickles your fancy, from mattes to shimmers to satins to sparkles. Includes a jet-milled base, silicone technology, and pearl density for uber-pigmented, silky-smooth, and long-lasting wear.

Wet n Wild Au Naturel Eye Shadow:

  • Ten rose-hued shades that are anything but ordinary
  • Get a little risque and go au naturel

Ingredients: Talc, Boron Nitride, Nylon-12, Ethyl Macadmiate, Dimethicone, Magnesium Myristate, Polybutene, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Phenoxyenthanol, Lauroyl Lysine, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Tocopherol, Methicone, [+/- (May Contain: Mica, Iron Oxides/Ci 77491, Ci 77499, Titanium Dioxide/Ci 77891, Red 40 Lake/Ci 16035, Ultramarines/Ci 77007, Black 2/Ci 77266, Manganese Violet/Ci 77742, Carmine/Ci 75470]. (1015).”

Au Naturel 754A Nude Awakening Palette | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Have you tried this palette yet?  What did you think?  I think for an inexpensive  brand, Wet N Wild has really stepped it up lately!

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I’d love for you to follow me on Instagram Lookingjoligood and on Facebook Looking Joli Good!

Make up · Tips and Tricks

Bronzer 101

Let’s face it, about this time of year, if you live in the North East like I do you are probably a bit Vitamin D deficient!  While I can’t help you with that, I can give you a few tips on how to look like you have just returned from a stay at the beach.

Adding life to your face can be as simple as using bronzer!

While using bronzer to add color is a simple step, proper application isn’t always as simple.  Keep in mind that the goal is to add color, but not to give the appearance of an all over tan. Bronzer should be applied where the sun would naturally hit the face, the forehead, the cheeks, and the nose.

Bronzer is applied after your foundation and concealer have been put on. Choose a bronzer that works with you skin tone.  To apply find the apple of the cheek by smiling and lightly dust your cheeks with the bronzer. Then using a wide brush blend up and blend down.  You can put blush on top of it and even a little bit of shimmer and highlight on top as well.

Bronzing vs Contour | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
Don’t confuse bronzing your face with contouring.  These are two different techniques.

While bronzer is probably the quickest way to add some color and life to your face, a little bronzer can go a long way, remember that you can always add more, so start off lightly and build it up as needed.

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I’d love for you to follow me on Instagram Lookingjoligood and on Facebook Lookin Joli Good!

Hello Bronzer! | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
This is not the effect you are wanting to achieve with bronzer! (This is not my photo, I just googled bronzer overload and this was one of the first pictures that came up. )
Make up · Tips and Tricks

Tip Tuesday #4

Tip Tuesday: Make up tips and tricks every Tuesday | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Here is another tip for Tip Tuesdays…

Lining the inner rim of the eye is beautiful but it is a bit high maintenance.  Unfortunately, you will always have to touch it up as needed throughout the day, but there are a few ways to extend the wear time of the eye liner when lining the water line or tight lining. First of all, always use a waterproof liner in the waterline. (My all time favorite is Scandaleyes waterproof kohl liner by Rimmel.)  Secondly, before applying the liner, use a q-tip cotton swab to dry off the area you are about to line. Q-tips are perfect for using throughout the day as well to clean up the buildup that often collects in the tear ducts. (I hate when that happens!)  Thirdly, if you tend to have very watery eyes, you may want skip lining the waterline all together, but if not, apply the liner to your waterline with your head tilted back with your mouth closed while breathing deeply through your nose.  This helps those tears to go into the sinuses and not out onto the eyes and down the cheeks.

Let me know if you try out this tip and if it works for you!

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I’d love for you to follow me on Instagram Lookingjoligood and on Facebook Lookin Joli Good!

Make up · Tips and Tricks

7 Beauty Products Worth Splurging On (and 5 That Totally Aren’t)

I recently read this article from Real Simple and thought that this was an interesting article.  I wanted to share it with all of you!  What do you think?  Do you agree with these tips on where to scrimp and where to splurge?  PS: I don’t necessarily agree with all of these, but I do think that it is an interesting take on where to spend and where to save.

If you would like to read the original article click HERE

7 Beauty Products Worth Splurging On (and 5 That Totally Aren't) | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

7 Beauty Products Worth Splurging On (and 5 That Totally Aren’t)

“Admit it: The exotic list of ingredients and the promise of supermodel shine are tempting. But then you hear a little voice in your head (hey, is that you, Mom?) saying, “It’s hype! You’re paying for a pretty box.” Some products are worth every dime; some not so much. How to tell the difference.

Shampoo = Scrimp
Springing for extravagant shampoo is essentially like watching your money go down the drain with the suds. However, if you’ve spent a small fortune coloring or highlighting your hair, you might want to go with the product that your hairstylist recommends.

 

7 Beauty Products Worth Splurging On (and 5 That Totally Aren't) | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
Photo by Serge Bloch from the Real Simple Website

Conditioner = Splurge
Yes, you rinse conditioner out, but these products are emulsions, which means they contain an oil or wax that doesn’t mix with water. So whatever healthy ingredients are in them adhere to the hair and don’t wash away.

Cleanser = Scrimp
Because the fancy-pants ingredients will be on your face for only two seconds—not long enough to be worth the expense. Have acne-prone or sensitive skin? Look for labels that say “gentle” or “noncomedogenic.”

Day cream = Scrimp
Make sure it’s the kind with sunscreen included; it should have broad-spectrum protection of at least SPF 15. You’ll find an aisle full of worthy options at the drugstore.

Foundation = Splurge
Since the chances that your face may end up looking like an Oompa Loompa are high. Instead head to the department-store cosmetics counters, where you can try out not only shades but also formulas before you buy. Do you prefer lightweight and sheer? Or something with more coverage to hide acne?

Powder = Splurge
Unless you opt for a colorless translucent powder (in which case, you can totally go thrifty), you’ll want to try this on before you buy, especially if you’re using powder as an all-purpose foundation/ concealer/makeup setter. A well-made one also gives you that flawless, practically Photoshopped look and will last longer, so you won’t need to apply as much of it.

Powder blush = Splurge
The pigments in blush are very similar to those in eye shadow. The less expensive the product, the more likely it is that the pigments have been diluted with talc and other powder ingredients. Also, cheaper blushes have a tendency to leave streaks.

Eyeliner = Splurge
You don’t want one with a crumbly tip that creates a shaky line. Generally, the more expensive the pencil, the softer the wax and the smoother the application.

Eye shadow = Splurge
Department-store–brand shadows adhere to the lids better, go on smoother, and offer richer colors than their drugstore counterparts. Certain pigments, such as deep blues and purples, are expensive, so companies that charge more can use more of them. But if you want to test-drive trendy shades, then, by all means, go economical.

Mascara = Scrimp
Bombshell: There isn’t a lot of difference between high-end and low-end formulas. Because bacteria grow easily in mascara, you should trash a tube after three months—which is all the more reason to cut corners.

Lip gloss = Scrimp
No need to go all out if you want just a hint of tint and a bit of shine. And who are we kidding? Half of it will rub off on your coffee cup anyway.

Lipstick = Splurge
If it’s your signature shade, don’t cheap out. You’ll get a creamier texture and possibly even extracts or vitamins that will prevent your pucker from becoming caked and flaky.

Excerpted from The Real Simple Guide to Real Life: Adulthood Made Easy. Copyright © 2015 Time Inc. All rights reserved.”

Buy The Real Simple Guide to Real Life here!

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I’d love for you to follow me on Instagram Lookingjoligood and on Facebook Lookin Joli Good!