Burt's Bees Lip Gloss in Evening Glow

I think I expected better from Burt's Bees. I purchased on a whim a lip gloss at Rite Aid. I was sort of looking odd in my usual pink colored lipstick for summer and thought a deeper color would look good, but only a wash of color really. I picked up the Burt's Bees Lip Gloss in the color Evening Glow. The color is actually really nice and the coverage is pretty good to wear on it's own. However the gloss does not last long on the lips and the smell/taste is something to be desired. It doesn't smell nice at all. Smells sort of plastic. If plastic has a smell lol. Anyway I was sort of hoping for at least a mint smell or something fruity. Anything other than what it smells like. If you like reapplying lip gloss for the fun of it, this would be your bet. I wish the color came in a sheer lipstick style. I think I would really like it then. The color is beautiful but the product is dollar store worthy not worth $9.

purchase at drugstore.com or any other drug store near you. 

Favorite NEW Restaurant- Country Grill

A new restaurant opened up recently in Westland Michigan. My husband and I tried it for the first time yesterday. This is our new favorite restaurant. The food is flavorful and the presentation is gourmet quality. When you walk in it reminds you of a restaurant in a Marriott Hotel. Simple and tasteful decor. Booths, tables, fireplace, wood accents and linen table cloths. You don't even notice there is a short order cook area. It's all done so well. The servers are young and friendly.The food is definitely southern. The price for all of this is equivalent to fast food prices. You simply can not go wrong. I really hope this new business makes it and stays around for years to come. It's a nice break in all the food chain restaurants in our area. I wish I had a picture to display of restaurant or food. You all just need to check it out.

Country Grill
501 S. Wayne Road
Westland, MI 48186

Ph: 1-734-728-2500

Check out their facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/CountryGrillWestland

This season's Old Navy Favorites

Perfect T

Vintage T

I use to love Old Navy when I was a smaller size. Once I crept up on the scale I found most clothes at Old Navy fit me in all the wrong places and I stopped going. Well after hoping and trying hard to lose weight I came to the conclusion it just wasn't going to happen. By then I really needed some clothing fast and I needed affordable. I had refused to purchase anything at my current size. So I decided to try Old Navy once more and to my surprise I found a few great items that finally fit in all the right places at my current weight. As affordable as their clothing is I can't afford to go crazy and stock up. Although I would love to on these few items. My favorite things are the Vintage T, Perfect T, Sundress and a cropped cardigan. The fabrics are so soft and are pretty much wash and wear. Don't have to iron if you don't want to. I traveled with all these items and they pack really well. They were pretty wrinkle free when I hit my destination . I would love to have every color in these items. I was lucky the day I went they happened to be having a buy one get one free sale. I was able to get four t-shirts for the price of two. I've wore these items over and over this entire season. I am in LOVE :0)

Cropped Cardigan

Diane's Dream Brides Livonia Michigan

As you can tell. I will never stop with my bad reviews for Diane's Dream Brides. I find it completely odd that there are so many 5 star reviews for this shop. If you do find a negative and Diane sees it, she will ultimately spin the review around and make it the brides fault. That's just how I see it. My opinion and you know how that saying goes everyone's got one.  If one person reads my story and chooses not to buy a dress from there that is the reward I get for them not compensating me for all of the nonsense they put me through. As always Buyer Beware!!! You can say all you want with a smile but if you can't deliver, then it means nothing to me. In no way do I feel o.k. about the situation that occurred with Diane's Dream Brides. Yep I'm the one in a sea of reviews that got the doozie of a negative experience. I will not be swept under the rug. Other Brides should know this could happen to you too. Best of luck!

PS. While we're at it down with Casablanca dress makers.

Are you looking for a movie to rent? If so check this one out!

If you are looking for a cute, funny and quirky movie you should rent "Warm Bodies". I didn't think I was going to like it as much as I did. I don't know how the actors could make it through filming acting like these zombies without dying laughing. This movie kept a smile on my face. I loved it! You just have to see it :0)

Urban Decay Cosmetics

Urban Decay in Rockstar. One of my favorites.
I used this color as an accent for my wedding day make up.

I can't say enough how much I love Urban Decay Cosmetics. My favorite items are their eye shadows, lip pencils and eye liners. Their products last! They last on your face and they last in usage. Urban Decay cosmetics are highly pigmented. The items I've listed are just under $20 each for the individual sizes of the products. A lip liner lasts me 10 months and that's with sharpening. That figures out to be $2 per month. If I purchased a drug store item for lip liner I'd purchase that item probably 5 times within that 10 months. Also I probably would have switched brands or shades within that time trying to find something that lasted longer etc. I'm content with the Urban Decay colors I have and just applying in a different way to change my look. I don't bore easily with their products. As for eye shadows within 10 months I don't even hit pan. Looks almost new in it's packaging. I usually purchase my products through Ulta. Urban Decay is definitely worth the money. I've never been disappointed in the quality of their products.

Man of Steel- SUPERMAN

Man of Steel -Henry Cavill- A Warner Bros. film

MAN OF STEEL

Last night we went to the theater and saw the new movie "Man of Steel". We chose to go to the MJR theater. We really thought that the second day showing would still be packed for a just released movie. Somehow we only had about 25 people in our theater. Hey we loved having our own small screening. It's been a while since I've seen a movie that I loved. We saw Iron Man 3 with expectations that it was going to be good but it just seemed ok to me. I love all the superhero movies regardless. Man of Steel fits in the category of best movie I've seen in a while. Henry Cavill is a great Superman. All that you would hope for and lives up to. This is a must see movie. Tons of action, great acting and good story. We will definitely add this to our movie collection when it comes out on DVD.

http://b-i.forbesimg.com/robertwood/files/2013/06/Man-of-Steel-Henry-Cavill.jpg
http://mjrtheatres.com/movie_detail.asp?movie_id=112449

Do you need a Laminator for work or crafts...I know the one you should get :0)

Apache AL13P Professional 13" Wide A3 4 Roll Hot Cold Laminator for Document and Photo

by Apache

To purchase go to http://www.amazon.com and search  "laminator" or cut and paste description above.

Believe it or not my Dad has been wanting a laminator. He's wanted one for a while. I couldn't think what to get him for Father's Day, so I got him the Apache laminator and purchased him some pouches separately. His gift came right on time and I had him open it before Father's Day. He already wants to laminate everything and my Mom wants to make placemats now lol. This looks exactly like a laminator I had at an old job and I loved that thing. The construction of The Apache is solid. It's well built and heavy duty. Instructions say it warms up in three minutes. I swear it was quicker than that. We tested it out and the lamination was awesome! Very nice piece of equipment. The price was $79.99 on the Amazon website. I only had to pay a few dollars extra and purchase pouches. I used my accumulated points/ dollars on my credit card. So the thing was practically free! I mean I was needing to buy groceries and gas anyway my as well benefit and get a cool gift for my Dad with it. It does take a while to save points but hey I think this was a good choice. 

Animal Cruelty- "WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE???" a rant!!!

Everyday on Facebook, YouTube, the Internet, newspaper etc. you find horrible accounts of animal cruelty. The latest one I saw was of a snapping turtle beat to death! Prior to that someone broke into a persons house in Texas and beat and drowned a pit bull puppy for no reason and before that a person decided to light a cat on fire and those are just a few! Really what makes a person wake up and decide that what they would like to do for the day is beat, torture or kill an animal? Sure people get all worked up that people care more about animals than people, but think about it...if someone can't be kind to an animal what makes you think that person is going to be nice to you! And I'm not all about boxing people in with rules and taking away rights but seriously I think people should be held accountable for any torture of an animal. Most cities, states etc do not acknowledge an animal killing. In most instances domestic animals are only thought of as property no different than the way you think about your cell phone as a possession. There is no punishment for it. I realize also that animals are killed for food, however I'm hoping there is some dignity in it. I can't say that the food industry is doing any great justice to the way they treat animals as well. I don't believe in waste of food or gluttony. I fail to think that any bible or God condones people acting this way either. The more I read of these stories the more I think there is a Hell on Earth among us. If there are this many stories to read of these acts than just think how many sick people there really are in this world. Don't get me started on wars. Get help people! Don't take your baggage out on other living beings. Just a rant. I am tired of the sickness. It makes me sad and even though i know this happens among us I can't linger on it for too long ...it scars my soul and ignites hatred for others. Most days I put a smile on my face and you would never know how I really feel. Also get your pets spay or neutered. so many healthy animals are put to sleep because there are not enough people to take care of them. Stop it before many have to suffer. There are thousands of animals every year that are needlessly killed in shelters. Now with all this negativity let's look at one positive. Thank you to all the people who think beyond themselves and help others.

Brooklyn and Rosslyn
Brooklyn was adopted from the Human Society. She was labeled as having social issues. She had been at the shelter for two months and was an older cat. More than likely she would have been put down. Brooklyn is part of the reason I'm still around.  Rosslyn  (a feral cat) was found outside our home starving to death. She wouldn't have made it through the winter. These two animals named after the children I never had are one of the BEST decisions I ever made in life. They make me laugh everyday and are so very loveable.
I love them!

WalMart

I'm personally not a huge fan of WalMart. I'm more of a Target girl. WalMart gets very little of my money. I won't get into all the ethics of WalMart of what I don't like. I may go a handful of times per year out of convenience or for a gift that can't be found elsewhere. If I haven't done my grocery shopping for my work lunches I usually stop at Krogers in the morning and pick something quick to eat for lunch. Kroger usually doesn't have any already freshly made up salads etc as early as I go in the morning before work. So I decided twice this month to try out WalMart's selection of pre-made foods at the deli. My first choice was a ham and cheese sub sandwhich. It tasted very bland. Looked yummy but tasted dry and like hospital food. I ate half of that sandwhich. I tried a second time a cobb salad. Again it looked very yummy. The ranch dressing was good, the lettuce, bacon bits and cheese were fine but the chicken carrots and egg were disgusting. I almost barfed in my mouth when i tasted it! I ate a quarter of that salad and ate vending machine snacks at work instead. I can honestly say I am done trying their deli  prepared foods. Their birthday cakes and cupcakes however are very good and their prices and quality of their flowers are pretty good. In general I think of WalMart as a throw away store.You may be able to buy quantity, however quality is not always present. Take it or leave it...it's just an opinion.

NYX Concealer Stick

By far my most favorite magic trick is the use of the NYX Concealer Stick. This stuff is amazing. I'm still on my first tube and I've been using it since February of this year. I haven't even begun to use this thing up. It has sheer blendable coverage. I started out only using this product for under my eyes, but now I use is all over the place under my foundation. I even use it as an eye shadow base. Most concealers look like a mask of white or yellow on my skin after application. This blends in and knocks the redness and dark coloring of my skin out. My skin still shines through. It looks like you have nothing on. I purchased the color "light". I have very fair skin and this is a perfect match. This product is only $5. I purchased mine at Ulta. I can say I have no plans of trying or buying anything else at the moment for concealing. This has got me covered! I am in LOVE with this product!

http://www.nyxcosmetics.com/

Favorite Household Cleaning Products

I want to share a few of my favorite household cleaning products that I can't live without. I buy them over and over without fail.

Pledge for polishing furniture. I have used Pledge forever. I tried for a short while the method brand in liquid form and was not a fan. Method seemed to eat through the pledge and make my table surfaces sticky. I like the shine and slick look of the Pledge. I build up the layers on my furniture. I take extremely good care of my furniture. I mean who can afford to purchase large household items just because you want a change or because you simply didn't take good care of what you have and now it looks awful. I can say I've had a lot of my furniture since my very first apartment and even my bedroom set is from back when I was in Junior High. I can tell you when people come over they are somewhat jealous in thinking "oh look what you can afford". Yeah I afforded it once or received as a gift from my parents or put items in lay a way. I have what I have because I take pride and care of the things I have. And pledge has helped to keep my things in good condition. Sure I have a few pieces of wood furniture that have split or show some wear but all in all in appearances I think my things look great. The shine of pledge is always satisfying. I like the dust and allergen scent the best. It has a nice clean light scent.

Clorox wipes in the yellow container is my favorite. I simply can not live without them. With a step son that is touching everything in the home you need to have them on hand. I use them for everything. The walls, counter tops, toilet, floors, kitty liter box, spills the list is endless. I use them everyday. I've purchased the Lysol brand but I'm not much of a fan. I think the Clorox wipes are softer and more absorbent and I like the scent better.

Meyer's Clean Day Hand Soap in the scent Lavender. This is by far my most purchased hand soap. I love the scent. I first discovered Meyer's products when I visited The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. They however have the geranium scent that is as far as I know their signature scent and only they sell it. I have not seen it anyplace else. I'm sure you can probably find it on line someplace. I had purchased a bottle while on the Island and savored it. I just loved the scent. Nothing like it was offered near where I live and when I was out of it I missed it. Several years later Target started selling the brand. However they do not sell the geranium scent. The next best scent is the Lavender. It has a bit of an invigorating smell. I love to use it at the kitchen sink and at the bathroom sink. The men in my home never complain of using the scent themselves and my husband has actually purchased it on his own to stock up on at home. I love their dish soap, but it's a bit pricey. The lemon scent is very light and clean smelling. It doesn't lather a bunch but it does the job.

My last recommendation is the Method brand All-Purpose cleaner. We received this with a housewarming gift from my husband's sister. That was three years ago and I'm just now getting around to using it. I used all my Windex surplus up and now I'm on to this product. I don't know how I cleaned with out it. It is by far the best window cleaner I have used. It grips the window and streaks...what streaks. It's that good. It's just as amazing in the bathroom. Our electric toothbrush container is a nightmare to clean. The scum of toothpaste residue is awful. Even my beloved Clorox wipes could not handle it alone. I sprayed this cleaner on and wiped it off with a Clorox wipe and it was the most satisfying clean ever! I want to use it on everything in the house. This one cleaner could probably cut down my grocery cleaning bill with amazing results.

Next time you are out and about you may want to pick one of these choices and try for yourself.

Thanks for reading...by the way is it super odd that I just love the smell of a just cleaned home?   :0)

Re: Reviews

Just a note. Any of the items that have been reviewed on my blog were items I purchased with my own hardworking funds. Nothing has been given to me free or in a trade etc. The only way it was free is if a friend or family member gave me a gift for a holiday or such.

I think Suzanne Somers has the right idea!

I think Suzanne Somer's has the right idea. You need to take control of your body and become your own doctor. In my experience I've had more than one test re-taken for the simple error of the medical professional not taking enough of a sample on a pap smear or not taking proper pictures for a mammogram. Having to retake some of these tests seem to take years off my life with worry. Hmmm this time is there really something wrong with me etc. In the end I've been lucky in most aspects. It makes me wonder though... this has happened multiple times with me through various doctors... is this a scam of sorts for insurance money on some level? All these retakes add up. Just a thought. Also to get a doctor to actually listen to your needs is pretty hard to find. Most lump you in on whatever the masses seem to do well on regarding medications. Most times I know what's up with my body and I pretty much give the Doc a blueprint of what's going on. I'm met with crazy attitudes and looks. I'm coming to a doctor for their educated knowledge and a cut to the chase answer. Honestly why should I have to google my symptoms and diagnose myself...that's a doctors job! Unless you are "someone" it's more of a "next person" attitude. Don't get me wrong I've had some great doctors and have lost them to other insurance networks and have had a heck of a time finding replacements. And what is up with having to change your personal care provider on your insurance card before going to a doctor? Such a waste. Why can't we just choose a doctor in our provider book and go. Ahhh these are the things I think about.

Suzanne Somers -pic from entertainment.blogs.foxnews.com

http://www.suzannesomers.com/

Made In USA

Dressbarn- Made in the USA clothing :0)

www.dressbarn.com

This is the jacket I purchased. I took a picture with my camera and unfortunately  there is something on  the inside of my lense that shows up as an orb. Don't get me started on Best Buy and the Geek Squad. Anyway this picture (only) is from off of the Dressbarn website. I did notice that on the website the item says that it is Imported but as you can see below in my pic the item clearly says Made in the USA. 

 To my excitement I found an actual piece of clothing made in the USA! It is so hard to find clothing made in the USA at any of the local chain clothing stores. I visited my local Dressbarn today and tried on some items and while doing so I have a habit of checking the tags to see where the garments were made. Dressbarn sells different brands of clothing but they also have their own brand and that brand is made in the USA! I will definitely be stopping in the store more often just to check for more clothing made in the USA. Most items in the Dressbarn are in the $30 range and most dresses are under $100.

hmmm after doing a little bit of research it's possible this is nothing more than a confusing ploy by the manufactures in the clothing industry. Example-found on Wikipedia: Goods produced in American Samoa (a United States territory) are entitled to attach a "Made in USA" label, as this is an insular area of the United States. This area has until recently had few of the labor and safety protections afforded United States workers, and there have been a number of cases of sweatshop operators exploiting labor forces imported from south and east Asia. The Northern Mariana Islands is another U.S. possession in the Pacific that was exempted from U.S. wage and labor laws until recently,^[when?] where the use of the "Made in USA" label was likewise controversial. The label is controversial also since all U.S. insular areas, except Puerto Rico, operate under a customs territoryseparate from the U.S., making their products technically imports when sold in the United States proper.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Made_in_USA

So which is the real deal....Made in USA or Made in U.S.A. ??? I think my excitement is fleeing :0(

Wedding Gown Preservation Company- Since 1913

This review is on the wedding gown preservation company called "Wedding Gown Preservation Company -Since 1913

http://www.gownpreservation.com

From afar dress appears to be fine. Up close you will note the wrinkled appearance of both the decorative band and the the tulle is roughed up and not placed flat in the box. It has an angry appearance. Also you will note that the left sleeve is pulled down to a normal stance and the right side is all bunched up.

After the horror story of my wedding gown I debated on if I should have my dress preserved or not. I was under the assumption I may never see the dress again if I let it out of my sight. I mean seriously my dress had went through customs three times and took years off my life prior to my wedding. I didn't get to have much time with my dress and I didn't have all the fun fittings etc...where I could admire myself and really enjoy the process. Most of my friends have done nothing with their dresses. Some have consigned theirs, others have just hung it up in their closet and others have stored it in Rubbermaid only later to open the container and find that their dress had molded! After weighing all the options I decided I wanted the dress preserved. I chose to go with the lady who finally fixed my dress. I had little information except that she had used this company for a long time. Only once I had gotten the dress back did I know where it had went. My dress traveled to New York. Here's the part I have mixed feelings about. My wedding was in August 2012. I made an appointment to drop my dress off at the Seamstresses home shop on Sept 29, 2012. I received my dress back this month Feb 2013! I was originally told it takes 10 weeks from start to finish. Now when I look up the company who did the preservation it says 10 to 15 days??? What??? Believe me I called the lady who set this all up and started asking if my dress still existed. When my dress finally came in I was so happy to finally see my dress again I didn't really take inventory of how it looked in the box until I got it home. I was a little disappointed in that the band on my dress did not appear to be steamed out. It was all wrinkly. I also noticed the sleeves on my dress were just kind of jammed in the box and and were positioned uneven in display. The tulle of my dress appeared to be mashed underneath. When the dress was preserved one of my sequins broke and stuck to the inside of the plastic wrap so there is no getting it out of the preservation window. It looks like a bug at first glance. I paid up front $169.00 for this service. All in all I guess it is better than just hanging the dress in a closet, but at the same time it's those little things that make me wonder...was this dress ever cleaned or was it just shoved in the box. The time frame has me baffled. The sticker on the box shows that the company said they received  my dress in January 2013??? Because I did not directly deal with this vendor I have neither a negative or positive review. 

This is the broken sequin that is stuck to the inside of the  box and looks like a bug. 

This shows the decorative band showing to be creased. In my opinion it does not appear to have been steamed. If anything  maybe an iron was placed on it and creased. Not impressed. 

Eye Make Up Removers

Now that I use waterproof mascara I definitely have to have some sort of oil based remover to get it off my lashes. In the past I've used baby oil but it leaves residue. I've used Vaseline, but eye make up is still hard to get off my skin.  I used for a while the Target brand Up and Up Eye Make Up Remover. I've purchased it several times and felt it worked really well until I decided to try the Neutrogena brand Eye Make Up Remover. I think the Neutrogena brand is more gentle on my skin and a lot less tugging to get my make up off. Both are great, but I think I prefer the Neutrogena brand.  I'm willing to pay a little more for the Neutrogena brand to save the tugging on my skin when removing heavy eye make up. I feel I use more product when I use the Target Brand. Both are pretty comparable, however it comes to personal preference on this product for me.

1000 Negative reviews for Casablanca and Diane's Dream Brides

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Looking at these pictures should be worth 1000 negative reviews. This is the reason I say DO NOT PURCHASE from Casablanca Bridal or Diane's Dream Brides of Livonia, Michigan. 

I purchased a strapless dress and wanted illusion sleeves added to the dress. Sleeves that were barely there.

Does this look like an illusion sleeve to you?  This was four layers of tulle. It came with elastic that was suppose to hold the sleeve just on my shoulder. However they slipped off my shoulder and were practically down to my elbows. The sleeves were the wrong circumference. I could not even fully get my arm in one of the sleeves. It was useless. I was too traumatized to take decent pictures. I was told this was exactly what I wanted even while the dress was on and clearly did not fit. It horrified me while I had it on. This sleeve did not match the original dress sketches at all. (Casablanca's Error)

Apparently they thought I should have bell sleeves too. This design made me look like a line backer.  I wanted to look tiny not wider than I was. (Casablanca's Error)

You could have fit a large Solo brand cup in the front of my dress. I was told this fit me perfectly.  A running stitch does not fix this. If you are normally a size 12 on top and a size 14 on your bottom but you have to purchase a size 16 dress and no alterations are done to the top of the dress...I would say It's not going to fit...wouldn't you? (Diane's Dream Brides alterations.) 

This is what is considered custom bust work at Diane's Dream Brides. Tacked with three threads. Hmmm this looks more like what comes in my bathing suits...Really??? Custom you say??? (Diane's Dream Brides alterations)

I was told to walk down the isle in a dress like this by Diane's Dream Brides. I had ill fitting sleeves that had a  Holly Hobby pucker! They actually tried to fix this with wig tape! I was horrified when Diane put wig tape on my shoulder and started smashing the fabric down onto me! Seriously this is professional. I was told sorry there is nothing more that can be done. Thank God I found someone else that thought this was as much of a nightmare as myself and fixed it for me. Of course I paid for it out of my own pocket and Diane's had no problem not paying for a dime of my happiness. I can not believe Diane would want to put her stamp of approval on this dress and send me out the door like this. (Diane's Dream Brides alterations) 

As a side note : My dress had been through customs 3 times! When I purchased my dress I asked Diane's Dream Brides where the dress was to be made...I was told in Europe. They didn't know what country. When I started to have issues and wanted to know where my dress was the truth came out...China. When I was told it was made in Europe I thought Germany, Italy, France no idea of China. I thought it very misleading of a retailer to say such a thing. It was definitely a sales process you would have had to be there to understand the feeling and the sales pitch. 

*****No I will not get over it...why should I! And if you are a Bride and want to be beautiful on your special day you shouldn't settle for what others think you should deserve. Would you have walked down the isle in this? I think not! I didn't ask for much. What I was given was nothing short of bad craftsmanship and horrible customer service.*****

Want affordable flowers...think Krogers

Picture found on honeymoon on Mackinac Island. Table cloth I made. Drinking pitcher given as gift by my Mother and  Flowers from mark down section at Krogers. Don't they look fake, but they are real :0)

Do you need nice flowers for a special event or an inexpensive pick me up? Think Krogers! If you aren't too picky in the style of flower you want you may want to check out what your local Krogers grocery store has to offer. I've had good luck even in the mark down section. I go the day before my event and see what they have to offer. I usually can find something that can work and is affordable. People were amazed at what we were able to purchase for our house warming party. Sure they may not look so pretty taking the bunches home in plastic but once home tear open that packaging and place them in dollar store finds, vases, juice glasses, jars pitchers you name it and waa-la instant pretty :0) 

Dollar store bird. Birdcage from Krogers that we later painted and used as part of our center pieces for our wedding. Vase was an oversize coca-cola glass from the dollar store.  And last but not least...flowers from Kroger

Purchased for Christmas party at home. Reused wedding vases and  birdcage votive candles.

Macy's Furniture Delivery

Picture taken in show room of Macy's Department Store

My husband and I have a hard time agreeing on how to decorate our home. So when we find something we like we have to act on it and get it right then and there. In September we started our quest to purchase living room furniture. We looked all around and ended up in Macy's.

I use to love when our Macy's store use to be Hudson's and Marshall Field's department stores. It seemed like they offered better service and were more affordable etc. The Westland store in Michigan is behind the times a bit in the way their store is decorated etc. Not up to date or remodeled like other stores. It hasn't exactly caught up to speed with other Macy's stores that are out there. In my opinion the service is awful at the Westland store. I would say the first floor or main floor has the worst customer service. Service for whatever reason on the upper floor in housewares is better and their furniture division is also acceptable. However once I am burned in a bad way by a department store it is really hard to get me to come back or purchase regularly from that store. I no longer purchase Clinque products  due to the awful and embarrassing service at their make up counter at the Westland Macy's. I rarely buy anything there unless I absolutely can not find it some place else. They have severely lost my business. So when we finally found a Living room furniture set at Macy's I was a little hesitant. Macy's furniture seemed to be of the best quality that was in our price range and happened to be on sale. I am not sure how well our couch or chair will fair wear wise, but it's better than having no furniture like we had before. What I will say is that the delivery of our furniture was absolutely awesome. They took care of our house like it was their own. They were careful unloading our furniture. The delivery guys took their shoes off and put booties on. They took care of not hitting the walls or scratching our hard wood floors and they didn't track up all over our yard. The delivery guys were friendly and on time. Very pleased with the furniture and the the delivery, set up and purchase process from the Furniture Department at Macy's Westland. However I am still hardheaded and still refuse to purchase on a regular basis from them for my everyday needs.

What's in my Make Up Bag you ask??? Let's take a peek...

I love the "What's in your Make Up Bag" videos and blogs so I thought I'd share what is currently in my Make Up Bag.

I included a few items I normally don't carry with me as well. Everything shown makes up my everyday face. 

What I don't carry in my purse:

Neurtrogena-Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum

Cover Girl-Professional Loose Powder #105 w/ Bare Escentuals brush

Neutrogena-Healthy Skin Liquid Make Up SPF20 #10 classic ivory

Eye Lash Curler

What I do carry in my purse:

Make Up Bag- Sonia Kashuk

Eye Shadow- Jane Iredale- Perfectly Nude-use brush that comes with it and a Essence of Beauty Brush

Blush- Palladio Herbal Mosaic Powder- Desert Rose with random blush brush

Metal Pencil Sharpener

Eyeliner- For upper lash line-L'Oreal Infallible Lacquer Liner 24H #171 blackest black gel liner w/brush

Silver Mirror Compact

Mascara- Maybelline- The Falsies Volum' Express Waterproof -Very Black

Lip Liner-Urban Decay 24/7 Naked

Eyeliner- For lower lash line- Urban Decay 24/7 Bourbon

Lip Gloss- Palladio- Dreamy

All of these products I absolutely love. So there you have it...What's in your bag? :0)

One small organizational accomplishment...Whoo hoo give me a medal lol

Oh how I long to be a version of Martha Stewart (minus the jail time) and live in a Pottery Barn house. I have moments of feeling organized but somehow the home just doesn't stay picture perfect. My family loves the idea of these things but isn't always so happy to help achieve the lifestyle. Most days after work I don't feel the need either. So I put Martha Stewart on snooze and dream of what my home could be like. With that being said I still attempt small organizing projects here and there and this one so far this year is working. It has stayed nice and tidy and we use everything daily. This makes me smile. One lovely kitchen cupboard all nice and neat. Sometimes I open and close the cupboard just to look at it and feel a sense of accomplishment lol It's like I have to do it several times just to make sure it doesn't magically turn into a mess...could be that or my OCD. I should have taken a before photo, but honestly I didn't think our cupboard would stay this nice for this long lol. I will paint you a picture instead...We had vitamin bottles, medicine, a bunch of thermos bottles, a mish-mash of everything. I did switch out our dishes and put the others in the basement so that helped. I've been taking pictures on my Ipod because my camera has been out of commission so I apologize for the quality of it. Don't get me started about Best Buy and their warranties/ Geek squad ugh! Now don't you feel like rearranging your cupboards lol

Casablanca...it's not the whole story but it's a start as to where my frustrations came from

The following are snippets from my email conversations with the Casablanca Dress Manufacturer. In between these emails I was made to speak directly with the Retailer. I essentially got the brush off. Outcome between the Retailer and Manufacturer has been unsuccessful. Mind you I ordered my dress in Feb 2012 with my Wedding date of  August 2012 and did not receive my dress until two days prior to my wedding. The dress was not to satisfaction. I ended up having to find a seamstress at the last minute to make the dress acceptable to wear on my wedding day. I officially got my dress the day before my wedding. It was the most stressful and unhappy experience I have ever had. Also for note I asked only for monies regarding customization of dress and alterations to be refunded. I did not ask for a free dress. I wanted to pay what was fair. We have received no compensation in any way for the dress or the distress it caused. And no apology. All letters from Manufacturer were general form letters received. Notes are my opinions and feelings and as everyone knows everyone has one. I am not looking for any negative feedback for my posting. I believe this experience gave me all the negative and then some for a lifetime. Thank you.


Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2012 
To: Casablanca

URGENT! I am in desperate need of help. I purchased a dress from Diane's Dream Brides. I ordered my dress back in Feb and it was due in the first week of July. My dress came in yesterday 7/17. My Wedding date is August 17, 2012. The owner of shop is on vacation and I don't feel the person/Manager in charge is being proactive. I believe the dress that came in could be someone else's or a terrible mistake has happened. I had custom sleeves attached to my dress and the dress that came in is the wrong color and wrong sleeves totally. Not the design at all. I saw the sketch that was sent to Casablanca and it was correct what I got is no where near the sketch. The placement of sleeves is incorrect, material is incorrect and I can not fit my arms in the holes.  My dress should have been ivory and this one is white. My dress is Casablanca 2035. Please contact me with what my options are. The dress was fully paid for prior to receipt of dress. I need to know how quickly this can be resolved. I am a very stressed Bride. Thank you in advance for any help. 

*In regards to Manager at Diane's I did receive an acceptable and what I feel heart felt apology from her. Much more had transpired during my fitting. 

Response Received July 18, 2012

Congratulations on your engagement and thank you for selecting a Casablanca Bridal Gown!  Since we're the manufacturer, we work strictly with our authorized retailers.  We've contacted the store and asked them to assist you and to call us if they need our help.  We are happy to assist them on your behalf.  Just have the store call us if they need our help. (Please note this store is closed on Wednesdays).  Thanks again for choosing a Casablanca Bridal gown.  We wish you all the best on your special day!

Kind regards,

Casablanca Bridal
Customer Service

Sent: Friday, August 31, 2012 
To: Casablanca

Dear Casablanca, I am sure your staff remembers me. I am the bride who wanted custom sleeves put on my dress. Yes, I am back from my honeymoon and no I have not forgotten about the nightmare that happened to my dress or to top it off the inexcusable treatment Marilee treated my mother to over the phone. I am still not pleased with your retail vendor. In the end I had to take the dress to another seamstress to fix the dress. The vendor seamstress was simply not equipped to make proper alterations. On top of it all I had to pay this out of my pocket!  Also the reasoning given to me regarding this design error (you will not take ownership of) is simply something to hide behind. Telling me that it is all in ”interpretation “ and how you feel the dress should look based on sketch is absolutely hilarious since your original dress that was produced was so far off from the sketch design I felt it to be someone else’s dress. Funny using the same sketch the second time around it was interpreted correctly. This whole situation caused unbelievable distress! Yes, I was able to get married. The fact of the matter is the treatment me and my Mother received. It was appalling! I am in shock that a manufacturer with such “great” reviews would have people representing them with such deplorable customer service skills. I realize you do not speak to the end user, however I believe it in your best interest to contact me as soon as possible and the person I should speak to should be of authority. 

*The basic jist of the response I received from the retailer was she is SO sorry  I can't get over the situation....REALLY
*My wording of what I heard in her email...this is the short version.

Response Received Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Thank you for taking the time to write to us regarding your custom-made gown and congratulations on your marriage!

We've shared your feedback with our management team.  However, you will need to contact your authorized retailer, Diane's Dream Brides, for further assistance regarding your gown.  Your transaction was with the retailer, so they are the party that you need to contact. 

Legally we cannot disclose information that is between Casablanca Bridal and our authorized dealer.  

Thanks again for your message.  We wish you and your Groom a lifetime of happy memories together.

Kind regards,

Casablanca Bridal
Customer Service

Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2012 
To: Casablanca

I still wish to receive a call and I still would like retailer to refund me the additional alteration fees in full.

*FYI I don't feel $185 is so much for them to reimburse me for and make me feel better. The retailer offered me $100 and gave me a sad story of how she made nothing off my dress. Ok bottom line none of this was my fault. Why should I have to settle for less than what I wanted and paid for in full.  What I asked for was nothing outrageous etc. Retailer asked me for my address to send $100. REALLY... we've done business and you can not find my address... in the end I received NOTHING. The fault was started by Casablanca and the retailer was poor in all aspects in my opinion of service. I was given a dress that was not able to be worn on my wedding day and was left to find someone who could salvage it. Retailer's attitude was basically get over it...NEXT CUSTOMER!

Response Received September 19, 2012

We received your previous email message and shared your feedback with our Management Team.  However, you will need to contact your authorized retailer directly, (Diane's Dream Brides), regarding your gown.  Your transaction was with that retailer, so they are the party that you need to contact with your inquiry.

Wishing you all the best!

Casablanca Bridal

Customer Service

Now tell me this doesn't sound like a blow off. They got their money and they couldn't care less. In between these emails Casablanca DID take a phone call from my Mother (who happens to be the nicest person and non confrontational person you will ever meet.) and they were INCREDIBLY RUDE to her. Down right MEAN. 

Think twice before purchasing anything "custom" from Casablanca Bridal. If you buy your dress off the rack you may fair better than myself. It's really hard to swallow the treatment that occurred in all aspects of purchasing my dress. My parents paid for the dress and a family heirloom was sold to purchase it. This made it even harder to accept. We do not come from money and a large retailer with tons of money spit on us in my opinion. If one person reads this and decides against purchasing a gown from them I THANK YOU! Little people can make a difference. 

Addicted to Gurus!

I  have a serious addiction to watching Make Up Tutorials on You Tube. It happened one day while typing in random searches into You Tube when I discovered the world of Make Up Tutorials. I love jumping into someone's world for a bit and getting lost in their daily routine. I watch them while putting on my own make up and sometimes while eating breakfast or just to relax at the end of the night before bed. I know I don't know any of these people in the real world except for maybe interacting a little with them on Facebook but they become part of your life in a weird little way. I look forward to their ordinary daily life and I learn new things from their experiences. It's been a very positive thing for me to watch these snippets of others lives. There are so many gurus I love. I know if I write a list I'm sure to leave some off just from my brain racing to remember them all. But here goes ...and in no particular order.

1.) Samantha Schuerman 
http://www.youtube.com/user/samanthaschuerman
I love her tutorials but it's the sharing of her and her family's life I love most. They make me wish they were my next door neighbors. Samantha and her Husband Jay and their kids will make you laugh out loud at their silly antics. Love Them!
2.) Emily Noel
http://www.youtube.com/emilynoel83
This former news anchor knows her beauty tricks and products. I could listen to her for hours describing products. When her Mom does cameo shots here and there I absolutely love her! She is adorable! And her husband is even great at reviews. Oh and did I mention her sister too...she is an amazing artist and just as fun to listen too. Emily's advice is invaluable. I've never been stung by purchasing a product she's recommended.
3.) Lisa
http://www.youtube.com/user/LisaLisaD1isa
I think Lisa is the sweetest person to watch and I can't figure out why there are so many hateful people hating on her. I get lost in all her shopping hauls. She finds and buys brands I've never heard of. I find watching her she keeps getting better and better with age.
4.) Marnie
http://www.youtube.com/user/MsGoldgirl
Marnie offers more than just Make Up Tutorials. She offers book reviews as well plus she has some pretty adorable dogs that wander into her videos.
5.) Jessica
http://www.youtube.com/user/LolaMarie7
I wish Jessica did more videos so it's a real treat when she gets on a roll and up loads a bunch of videos. She is hysterical. I love when she's in her car going off about a topic or doing a haul in there as well. She is fun to watch.
6.) Marnie and Mandi
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheBeautystand
Two quirky sisters I am loving right now. I watched a mini marathon of them they were so addicting.
7.) Elle and Blair Fowler
http://www.youtube.com/user/AllThatGlitters21
http://www.youtube.com/user/juicystar07
Two very organized sisters that are so fun to watch.
8.) Lorraine Stanick
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheCurrentCustom
I am addicted to all of her "Custom" videos...she has several channels to choose from and her Mom is hysterical.
9.) Leesha
http://www.youtube.com/user/xsparkage
Watching Leesha do make up is daring. She is so outside my comfort zone of applying make up. It's fantasy make up at it's best.
10.) Lauren Luke
http://www.youtube.com/user/panacea81
I could listen to Lauren's accent forever.  She is an artist with make up.
11.) Lindsay
http://www.youtube.com/user/LaFemme5278
Lindsay is so cute and I love her wedding tips and wedding video. She has opened my eyes to the new world of box subscribing. I have yet to try one but it's another fun option to try eventually.

There are so many Make Up Gurus I just can't list them all! Check out any one of them and I'm sure you will find them to be addictive too :)

Metivier Inn- Mackinac Island

Metivier Inn
PO Box 285
Mackinac Island, MI 49757
Ph# 1-866-847-6234
Email: info@metivierinn.com
http://www.metivierinn.com

Ahh The Metivier Inn on Mackinac Island. We happened upon this great establishment by chance. As I mentioned before we stayed two days at The Inn at Bay Harbor for our honeymoon. Our original plans were to stay two days at Bay Harbor and then three days at our economy location. We ended up staying two days at our economy location and the last day at the Metivier Inn. After staying at The Bay Harbor Resort our old economy vacation with inconsistent water pressure in the shower wasn't looking so good for our honeymoon. While visiting the Island we came across the Metivier Inn. We went and checked it out and our thinking was maybe next time we could afford to stay at this cute little bed and breakfast. After inquiring and speaking with the inn keepers they made us a fabulous offer. $100 off the turret room. I literally cried in front of them lol They said we deserved to have a great honeymoon! It was the perfect little honeymoon room too. Even with the floral decorations my husband loved it! We then decided to forfeit our money on our last day at the Beach House in Mackinaw City and take up the great offer at the Metivier to round out our honeymoon. We had such a great stay there. The Innkeepers David and Blanca made you feel like you were at home. They were so friendly and really wanted you to enjoy your stay with them. They even gave out their years of wisdom in conversation regarding marriage after hearing we had just gotten married. They are great people and their happiness is contagious. They offer a great breakfast too. Matter of fact both the Metivier and The Inn at Bay Harbor have excellent breakfasts. My husband and I dream of them. The grounds are perfect and the rooms are exceptionally clean. The actual owner of the Inn is an artist and she did all the renovations of the home and decorating. We actually bought as a keepsake one of her paintings of the Metivier. There are so many little details in the house. It's a step back in time yet you have modern conveniences as well. We've stayed on the island once before but this time we got to see the island's night life. Being so close to town was a plus. The regular businesses at night turn into clubs and you can hear all the fun they have there. Remember in the movie Dirty Dancing how much the help had fun...well something similar goes on there.  I've included a few pictures taken of the inn during our stay. Also from the backyard you can see the Grand Hotel.  We would stay here again and you should too :)

Our room we stayed in at the Metivier Inn.