Beauty in Real Life and Giveaway

Recently I came across an awesome beauty blog! It is called Beauty in Real Life with the tagline, "because beauty doesn't have to cost a fortune." The reason I love this blog so much is because the writers are thirty-something moms like me and they shop at stores like Target and Neiman Marcus! They have a real life perspective on beauty products which is so refreshing.

The editors of Beauty in Real Life are Jennifer and Christine. You will get a varied opinion from them because one is blonde and one is brunette! I think that is helpful when reviewing products because if something works for someone with one color of hair or hair type, it might not work for someone else. I find that true with some of my friends, we all prefer different products.

This blog is also among the elite in beauty blogs. Their blog is a member of totalbeauty.com and The Beauty Blog Network. They even feature weekend reads from The Beauty Blog Network so you can get tidbits from all sorts of beauty blogs. Be sure to sign up for their newsletter so you can keep up!

Right now, they are having a great giveaway, sponsored by Pureology. They are giving away 10 sets of their latest Shampoo and Conditioner (a $60 retail value per set). To enter, just email Jennifer and Christine at beautyinreallifecontests@gmail.com with "Pureology Giveaway" in the subject line. They ask that you include your full name and mailing address. The contest runs until September 9th so hurry over to their blog and check it out!

Their blog can be found at: http://beautyinreallife.blogspot.com/ Good Luck and Enjoy reading Beauty in Real Life.

The direct link to their contest is: http://beautyinreallife.blogspot.com/2008/09/pureology-giveaway.html

Target has cute shoes on sale

Target has tons of new styles for the fall and lots of them are on sale right now. Check out this pair that would be perfect for work, church, a wedding or a holiday party.

Mossimo® Daryn Square Peep-Toe Pumps - Black
$24.99

Exercise does a body good

Jennifer Lopez is living proof that exercise makes you shine inside and out. She is currently training for a triathlon and is simply glowing in this picture!

J.Lo glowed in a gorgeous cocktail dress and metallic heels at the Voto Latino event during the DNC.

The Fountain of Youth

I'll take some of what she is drinking - the one on the left, of course.

Christie Brinkley and daughter Alexa Ray at a benefit in Sag Harbor NY last Saturday.

Fashion Fix on the Run

Target has some really cute clothes right now. Target is featuring Go International right now and according to the website, this collection is only available through 10/4/08. Get it while it lasts!

GoInt Diamond Dress Ebony
$39.99

GO International® Keyhole Shirt - Ebony
$24.99

GO International® School Boy Blazer - Red Plaid
$39.99

Winners

The Back to School contest was a success! There were so many entries that I decided to give four prizes out!

Gina

Courtney

Trisha

Bridgette

Please email me at moodymaria (@) live.com with your address and I will send your prize right away! Thank you so much for entering and please continue to stop by and look for future contests.

Last Weekend to Sign up for the Contest!

You can win! Check out the link on the right sidebar to win. Just leave a comment in the contest post to sign up. If you already receive the newsletter or sign up for the newsletter, you will be entered twice!

And don't forget to check our featured blog of the month. She is running a contest right now over at MellyRoo Designs!

Just Jared is having a contest to win these!

I don't care what kind of woman you are! These will come in handy someday, somewhere, somehow. Costume? For a job interview? For an audition? To make your family laugh? Christmas picture? Whatever the case, you can sell them on ebay if you don't need them!

You can win them right now : http://justjared.buzznet.com/2008/08/28/vanessa-hudgens-members-only-leggings/

JustJared.com is giving away FIVE pairs of Members Only liquid leggings for free! Or, you can pick up your own pair at ShopKitson.com.

HOW TO ENTER: Leave a comment here with a valid email address (will not be published) and one winner will be chosen at random at the end of the contest. One entry per person per day. This contest ends next Wednesday, September 3 @ 7PM EST. US residents

Go over to justjared and win!!!

Dillard's Closing Some Stores

Dillard's Loss Widens, to Close Stores

Dillard's is so cool. They have great shoes, purses, makeup and clothing. What will we do if Dillard's closes in Arizona? That will be a sad day. Shop Dillard's girls!

The company said it will close 8 more stores in Dallas, Las Vegas, Richmond, Va.; Franklin, Ohio; Knoxville, Tenn.; Nashville, Tenn.; Charlotte, N.C., and Omaha, Neb.

Check out the story here: http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/dillards-loss-widens-to-close-stores/150957?icid=100214839x1208230718x1200446195

You give M O M a bad name!

Attention Moms!Please don't EVER, EVER wear these jeans. I don't care if they are on sale at the Gap for $9.99 right now. Please don't waste the money. Please don't wear them camping, or to Moab, or to Walmart or to the school just to pick up your kids really quickly. They are so bad and really not flattering!!! I didn't know these still existed.

Classic jeans
available in petite/tall
High-quality stretch denim. Sits at the waist, relaxed through the hip and thigh, slightly tapered leg opening. 5-pocket styling. $9.99

http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=16570&pid=396622

And by the way girls - JEANS DON'T LIE.

Give me the Boot!

No! Please don't stop reading Moody Maria. I mean...BOOTS! Give me some new boots please. Have you seen the newest boots for Fall? I mean, Gwyneth and Gwen were already sporting these last year, but now they are acceptable for simple folk like us.

Here are some cute boots that just might work for moms and working girls.....



BCBGMAXAZRIA Bless $325





Nine West Yoursocute $169

Bandolino Edwena $149

All available at Piperlime.com! Go Shopping Anna!

Life is Tough on Broadway

Pictures from justjared.com

What would the day be like without a posting about Katie Holmes, excuse me, Kate Cruise. Here she is on Tuesday seeing another play. Wow, she has the easy life. She is sporting some pretty cute shoes that only she could pull off and a sensible dress. Check out the bruises on her knees. I am sure all that stage work is tough. Can't wait to see some reviews on her performances once they begin.

What do you think of the shoes? We know Leslie hates them, what about Cheryl?? Susan? Sara?

Fall 2008 Must Have Items

According to Leslie, these shoes are hideous. I think she is crazy and just wait until she sees them on me! I am loving the vest action too. Katie Holmes was seen sporting one with a tank top yesterday. It looked really cute except her boyish haircut. Will you pull off a vest this year? I think it's great for work and for shopping. You can make it more casual with jeans and a white tee.

Miracle Cream for Moody Maria

I love my Revitalift that I recently reviewed. I decided to test another product in the same line. The product is called Advanced Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate.

After using my new L'Oreal Skin Genesis wipes, I used a small amount of the concentrate. The directions stated that I could use it along with my usual moisturizer. For testing purposes, I wanted to use this product alone and really feel the results.

The product is a high-potency serum so I didn't have to use that much. After applying it, my skin instantly felt smooth. It didn't feel greasy, just soft and moist. The serum smells good too! I am really loving these L'Oreal products. My skin has never looked so smooth and clear.

I will report back in a few weeks to tell you if I have noticed any major changes in the problem areas of my face. Living in Arizona for so long, this can be an issue in your 30's! As Cheryl said, always wear your sunglasses or you will have crow's feet. I should have listened to Cheryl when I was about 19. At least L'Oreal is there to help me turn back the clock.

Product Information from L'Oreal:
This High-Potency Serum is clinically proven to help erase fine lines and wrinkles. Within weeks, your skin is noticeably smoother and firmer.

Innovation: Anti - Wrinkle & Firming Concentrate Technology L'Oreal Paris has created New Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate, a highly potent clinical action treatment with Pro-Retinol A® and Pro-Lastyl. It helps naturally renew skin cells, dramatically smooth lines and wrinkles and powerfully firm skin from within. This lightweight serum concentrate is quickly absorbed, easy to layer and leaves skin satiny smooth.

Multi-Action Benefits:
Clinical Anti-Wrinkle Action~With concentrated Pro-Retinol A®, it accelerates skin renewal.~This high-potency serum helps reduce lines and wrinkles.

Concentrated Firming Technology~Patented Pro - Lastyl™ is shown to re-activate elastin production**. Skin is measurably more resilient and toned.~After 2 weeks, 81% of women saw firmer skin.*

Long Lasting Hydration~Soothes dryness and provides 24 hour hydration.~90% of women saw smoother skin and 75% of women immediately saw more radiant skin.*

Formula Essentials:
Dermatologist tested for gentleness
Non-comedogenic
Non-greasy

Shave Minutes off your Nightly Routine

I recently received a sample of L'Oreal Skin Genesis Micro-Smoothing Wet Cleansing Towelettes. I have to tell you, I was a little skeptical after the experience I had with the Revitalift wipes. Turns out, these are formulated a lot better.

First off, the packaging is great! The wipes come out easily and the lid snaps back tightly so they stay moist. The wipes are soft and smell great. The best part of all? The wipes removed my long lasting lip color and my makeup! After I used it, my skin felt smooth but not greasy. If I wasn't going to use the shower, I could have just left my skin alone and added a bit of my nightly moisturizer. My skin truly felt clean. I was really happy with this product. I would recommend it for those of you with limited time and for travel.

Here is product information from L'Oreal:

With a special embossed fabric that grips and retains impurities and even makeup around the eyes, these towelettes provide for very effective cleansing. With BHA, these towelettes naturally enhance daily cellular renewal to help provide smoother, brighter and fresher skin. Containing a natural cleansing agent, these towelettes gently cleanse skin and respect natural skin moisture balance. Dermatologist tested for gentleness. Non-comedogenic (would not clog pores).

For all skin types. These towelettes help to remove all traces of impurities and even eye make-up. It gently exfoliates skin dead cells and helps enhance skin smoothness and radiance.