An Outfit for Every Christmas Party Day 1: Gift Exchange

Hello!  This week, in lieu of my regularly themed posts,  I have created a four-day post series displaying Christmas style inspiration. 

 

For this first post for this series, I put together a look for a school party or gift exchange.  This would look best on the young or young at heart.

Time taken for makeup: 10 minutes
Time taken for hair: 15 minutes

Total time taken for this look: 25 minutes

Used in this makeup look:  Naked Basics Palette, Frizz-ease Travel Size Hair Spray, Bamboo Wear Bronzer, Mineral Glow Powder - Translucent Pearl, Nail Polish - Watermelon, I See Blue Mascara (Unavailable, but similar one here.),  Color Tattoo - Tenacious Teal, Baby Lips Electro - Pink Shock, Eye Primer and Liner Sealer, and Studio Eyebrow Kit.

 

My Sonia Kashuk brushes and Mary Kay Curler aren't available for sale anymore, but my smudger brush was from this Eco Tools set.

Pucker up, buttercup!  I put my Baby Lips on first, because it's the brightest bit of the tutorial and I needed to balance the rest of the look with the bold look.

Maybelline can really multitask!  I also used my Baby Lips as a blush by drawing three diagonal lines from below my eye going toward my ear.

After drawing on my "blush"  I blended it up and toward my ear in small circles.

Next, I lightly contoured my face with a semi-matte bronzer a few shades darker than my skintone in a "3" shape from my temple, to my cheek hollows, to my jawline on either side of my face.  Afterwards I heavily highlighted my upper cheekbones, and lightly highlighted my forehead, chin, and the bridge of my nose. 

Next I lightly filled in my brows with powder, highlighted the inner corners and underside of the arch of my brow, applied eye primer, and lightly contoured the crease of my eyelid with a chocolate colored matte brown as shown in the first of the three photos below.

I then took my elf  liner sealer, dipped it into my blue Maybelline color tattoo pot, and painted it on as though it was liquid eyeliner in a thick wing shape.

I would personally consider this the most important step for any makeup look--curling my eyelashes.

Last but not least, I applied blue mascara liberally to my top and bottom lashes. 

Done!  Now on to hair.

First, I curled my hair with my Bed Head Wave-er.

Next, I added a fun floral bow headband, to keep my bangs back and add a little ''something'' to my hair.

To Finish, I sprayed my hair with some John Frieda hairspray.

Now on to my outfit!

I always carry a purse.  This quilted navy clutch doubles as a crossboy and will be wearable long after the holidays are through.

I absolutely adore my fair isle sweather (it's from American Eagle in 2012, but I can't find it for sale anywhere, sorry).  I'm also wearing Capezio Transition tights, denim hot pants, and Kate Spade glitter Keds.  Since I don't own very many pairs of pants, I like to wear tights and shorts in the colder months of the year occasionally to mix things up.  

     White elephant gift exchanges are so fun.  In this Christmas season alone, I've collected one Hello Kitty alarm clock, a bag of gummy bears, and a dog pen from such exchanges.  I often hear the phrase chided to children "It is better to give than receive."  That's not necessarily true.  

John 3:16  Proclaims, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, the whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

    God is the only one who can grant eternal life.  With this in mind, when it really counts it's better to receive than give.  


 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." -Romans 10:9 

     Romans 10:9 presents the only way to everlasting life, an act of simply believing that Christ is the savior of all and making a confession if faith.  Although following God may not always be easy, receiving His gift really is that simple.

Mini-Haul: Bath&Body Works + Cato!

 Mini-Haul time!  Yesterday I went to Bath&Body Works and Cato after work.  Both stores have some great deals available right now--markdowns and coupons galore!

Hark!  Sales and coupons at Bath&Body Works!

I found a few gems at Cato, too.

 First I went to Bath&Body Works, because I had a good coupon.  Now I have no spending money, but that's irrelevant.

 

First I bought this glittery silver bath scrunchie for $4.50.  Why?  Because I just can't resist glitter.  Because I totally needed a new one.

For $2.00 this little guy will keep your hands germ-free and smelling sweet.  Need I say more?

There were signs all over Bath&Body Works yesterday advertising a one-day special (11/22/2013).  Instead of costing $12.50, these heaven-scented mason jar candles were on sale for $5.00 each.  And obviously if it's on sale, one is obligated to buy one.  So I bought the one that smelled of baked treaties and sugar plum fairies.

"A bowl of cookie dough made from the very finest ingredients was the inspiration for this simply magical holiday scent -- pure vanilla, butter and sugar."  says the label.  Simply magical.  Couldn't have said it better myself!

Now for the only item I actually planned to buy: a car freshener visor clip.  Since I don't own a vehicle of my own, I like to attach these near my rabbit's and hermit crab's cages in order to repel their unique odors.  This bedazzled beauty was $4.50.

Since I already own a scent portable, I also already own the pods.  Mine are drenched apple flower.  It smells like apples and flowers (shocker).

Glitter bug, meet Floral bug.

My last purchase wasn't actually a purchase at all.  I had a "spend fifteen dollars, get an item under thirteen dollars free." coupon.  I was thrilled to have this, because I'd been eying these shea-infused lounge socks for months, but I just couldn't justify the $8.50 price tag.

The pattern is called "Smarty-Cat" how cute is that?!

All this for $15.00?!  Sold!

 Afterwards, I decided to go to Cato on a whim.  And boy, am I glad I did!  Cato has always seemed a bit hit-or-miss to me as far as quality and style, so I don't usually shop there.  But yesterday I found some incredible items.  Cato, you've redeemed yourself!

My first find was this olive and leather shirt.  I picked it because it combines 3 things that are on-trend: Leather, Military, and a zipper detail.  What sweetened the deal was that it was on sale for $8.00.

This shirt is surprisingly figure flattering, and the zipper is a bit edgy, but in a cute sort of way.

Speaking of edgy, that brings me to my last item, which my Dad described as "Brass knuckles".  This knucklebox clutch is a nearly identical to the Alexander McQueen one which cost, oh, a mere $2,265.00 more.

Although I'm not usually a fan of skull apparel, this was too beautiful to pass up.  At $30.00, I'd say this cutie is a real steal.

Total of purchases:  $53.00

While all of these things are pretty, they will fade.  Whenever I get some new pretties, I try to keep in mind this Bible verse:  "And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." - 1 John 2:17

With that thought, I leave you.  Thank you for your time, dear reader.

Love,
Gabrielle Marie

Welcome!

Welcome friend!  If you are reading this, then you have reached our new blog, For Every Season.  In upcoming posts, you can expect to find:

• Seasonal style inspiration
• Beauty tips & tutorials galore
• & mini-devotionals

Please join us on this blogging adventure and check the blog regularly!  We hope to see you soon!

Love, 
Gabrielle Marie